^v  «F  ?mcif^ 


^^OlOGICAL  SiS^t^ 


BV  825  .B5  1849 
Bickersteth,  Edward, 
1786-1850 

A  treatise  on  the  Lord's 
SuDDer 


11 U  I^C\j^(mLA^  (  ^"'^•^ 


" — ~o 

A    TREATISE 


oir 


THE  LORD'S  SUPPER: 


DESIGNED   AS 


A  GUIDE  AND  COMPANION  TO  THE  HOLY 
COMMUNION. 

/ 

BY    THE   REV.   EDWARD   BICKERSTETH, 

RECTOR  OF  WATTON,   HERTS, 


Edited,  and  adapted  to  the  services  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Churcli 

in  tti«  United  States,  by  Lewis  P.  W.  Balch,  Hector  of 

St.  Bartholomew's  ChurctL,  New  York. 


THIRD   NEW    YORK,    FROM   THE    NINTH    LONDON    EDITION, 
ENLARGED. 


NEW  YORK: 
STANFORD    &    SWORDS, 

No.    137   BROADWAY. 

1849. 

e 1 


o- 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1842, 

By  Swords,  Stanford  &  Co., 

in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  Southern 

District  of  New- York. 


JOHN  R.  M'GOWN,  PRINTER  AND   STEREOTYPER, 
57,  ANN-STREET,  NEW-YORK. 


O 0 


0- 


A    TREATISE 


ow 


THE    LORD'S    SUPPER. 


PART   I. 


DESIGNED  TO  EXPLAIN  THE  NATURE  OF  THE 
HOLY  COMMUNION. 


■0 


ADVERTISEMENT, 
TO   THE   NEW-YORK   EDITION. 


Bickersteth's  "  Treatise  on  the  Lord's  Supper." 
was  first  introduced  to  the  American  public,  by 
the  late  eminent  Dr.  Bedell  of  Philadelphia.  Four 
editions  have  been  entirely  exhausted  j  and  the 
present  editor  has  in  vain  sought  to  procure  copies 
of  the  work,  as  from  time  to  time,  they  were  need- 
ed by  members  of  his  parish. 

In  England,  this  "  Treatise  "  reached  the  eighth 
edition,  when  the  author  himself  considerably  en- 
larged and  improved  it,  and  issued  a  ninth,  from 
which  the  New-York  edition  is  a  reprint.  And  it 
being  probable  that  no  more  additions  or  altera- 
tions will  be  made,  the  old  and  well  known  firm 
of  Swords,  Stanford  and  Co.,  have  determined  to 
stereotype  a  treatise,  justly  deemed  a  standard 
work  on  the  Holy  Communion. 

An  apology  may  seem  proper  for  having  omitted 
the  introduction,  essay,  and  notes  of  Dr.  Bedell. 
One  reason  for  the  omission  is,  that  Bickersteth 
himself  has  so  much  enlarged  the  work — if  they 
were  added,  the  volume  would  be  of  a  less  conve- 
nient size. 
I 

o ( 

1* 


o- — — c 

Vi  ADVERTISEMENT. 

Another  reason  is,  that  the  greater  part  of  the 
introduction  relates  to  difficulties  peculiar  to  the 
city  in  which  Dr.  Bedell  resided,  viz.  the  unwil- 
lingness of  many  to  communicate  because  of  pre- 
judices arising  from  Quaker  influence  and  educa- 
tion. Such  unwillingness  when  founded  upon 
principle,  is  we  think  fairly  met  by  the  treatise 
itself,  and  this  edition  being  designed  for  general 
use,  the  same  reason  for  the  introduction  of  re- 
marks touching  local  difficulties,  does  not  exist. 

The  last  London  edition  differs  as  already  stated 
from  the  earlier  one  which  was  reprinted  in  Phila- 
delphia, and  this  accounts  for  any  alterations  which 
may  be  observed  in  the  present  work. 

It  is  indeed  a  cause  of  devout  thankfulness  that 
books  like  "Bickersteth's  Treatise  on  the  Lord's 
Supper,"  are  in  such  demand.  And  a  fervent  prayer 
is  offered  to  God,  that  every  effort  to  enlighten 
the  hearts  of  men  on  the  subject  of  the  Holy  Com- 
munion, may  receive  His  gracious  blessing,  until 
the  time  come  when  all  "  shall  be  devoutly  and  re- 
ligiously disposed  to  receive  the  most  comfortable 
sacrament  of  the  Body  and  Blood  of  Christ,  in  re- 
membrance of  His  meritorious  death  and  Passion, 
whereby  alone  we  obtain  remission  of  our  sins,  and 
are  made  partakers  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven." 

L.  P.  W.  B. 
Ne^O' York,  Dec.  1341. 


o 


PREFACE. 

It  seems  to  require  some  apology  to  publish  another 
Treatise  on  the  Lord's  Supper,  when  several  valuable 
ones  have  appeared  already. 

It  might  perhaps  be  sufficient  to  say,  that  many  are  dis- 
posed to  look  at  a  modern  publication,  who  would  not 
even  read  a  more  valuable  one  of  former  years.  But  what 
is  the  state  of  the  Christian  Church?  Numbers,  who 
have  attended  public  worship,  constantly  and  regularly, 
from  year  to  year,  ten,  twenty,  thirty,  or  more  years, 
never  have  received  the  Lord's  Supper  !  Many  thou- 
sands, not  to  say  many  millions,  in  Christendom,  who 
have  been  baptized,  and  who  profess  themselves  to  be 
Christians,  have  never  obeyed  a  dying  charge  of  their 
Redeemer  !  Yet  it  has  been  justly  remarked,  that  in  the 
accounts  which  we  have  of  those  most  distinguished  for 
piety,  never  any  one  excelled  in  the  virtues  of  the  Chris- 
tian life,  but  was  accustomed  frequently  to  nourish  his 
soul  with  "  the  banquet  of  this  most  heavenly  food." 
Publications  of  this  nature  cannot,  therefore,  be  unsea- 
sonable, while  so  important  an  ordinance  continues  to  be 
neglected,  by  so  large  a  proportion  of  Christians. 

Without  invidious  remarks  on  any  former  works  on 
this  subject,  it  cannot  but  be  obvious  that  some  have  a 
tendency  to  foster  self-righteousness,  or  to  make  prepara- 
tion not  only  so  tedious  and  troublesome  as  to  be  imprac- 
ticable for  persons  engaged  in  the  ordinary  concerns  of 
life,  but,  as  Bishop  Beveridge  expresses  it,  "so  nice  and 
ticklish  a  thing,  that  they  despair  of  ever  observing  all 
the  little  rules  which  are  laid  down,  and  therefore  seldom, 
or  never,  trouble  their  heads  about  it." 

The  author,  while  he  has  gladly  availed  himself  of  the 
help  afforded  by  the  Treatises  of  others,  has  endeavoured 
to  take  the  Scriptures  as  his  only  sure  guide.  He  has 
had  occasion  to  see,  that  the  nature  of  this  ordinance  has 

O -O 


G O 

viii  PREFACE. 

been  much  mistfiken  from  a  neglect  of  that  guide.  In 
extracting  passages  from  old  authors,  he  has  taken  the 
hberty  here  and  there  of  altering  a  word,  or  the  construc- 
tion of  a  sentence,  to  adapt  it  to  more  modern  usage. 
Where  he  has  varied  the  idea,  he  has  generally  noticed 
the  passage  as  taken  from  others,  by  inverted  commas, 
without  quoting  the  authority  ;  thus  making  himself  re- 
sponsible for  the  sentiment  expressed. 

The  writer  has  seldom  quoted  the  opinions  of  the 
Christian  Fathers  on  the  Sacrament,  being  convinced  that 
the  Holy  Scriptures  are  the  only  and  the  snfficient  rule 
of  faith  to  the  Church.^  He  was  anxious  also  not  to  swell 
his  work ;  and  not  to  make  it  controversial,  instead  of  a 
practical  and  devotional  book.  Those  vdio  wish  to  see 
the  sentiments  of  the  Fathers  generally .  may  consult 
the  writings  of  Cranmer  and  Jewell.  L'Arroque's  His- 
tory of  the  Sacrament  gives  a  full  account  of  their  sen- 
timents on  its  form  of  celebration,  doctrine,  and  worship. 
Waterland's  Treatise  on  the  Eucharist,  gives  their  senti- 
ments on  the  DOCTRINES  of  the  Sacrament ;  and  Bing- 
ham's Christian  Antiquities,  on  the  discipline  of  the 
Church  respecting  it.  These  writers  sufficiently  estab- 
lish the  point,  that  the  doctrines  and  practices  peculiar  to 
the  Roman  Catholics  have  no  support  in  the  primitive 
fathers,  whose  statements  in  the  main  concur  with  those 
of  the  Protestant  churches,  and  particularly  of  the 
Church  of  England.  Cranmer's  Treatise  on  the  Sacra- 
ment is  well  worth  reading  by  every  one;  but  readers  in 
general  will  find  little  interest  or  profit  from  controversial 
Treatises. 

It  is  generally  known  that  this  institution  was  one  of  the 
chief  points  in  controversy  with  the  Protestants  and  Ro- 
man Catholics,  and,  alas  !  among  the  Protestant  churches 
themselves  at  the  Reformation.  The  Author  has  almost 
wholly  abstained  from  that  controversy,  being  persuaded 

a  See  the  6th  article — and  also  Bishop  H.  U.  Onderdonk's 
admirable  tract  on  the  "  Rule  of  Faith."     Ed. 

O Q 


0 — ' ■ -,0 

PREFACE.  ix 

that  the  plain  statement,  and  the  scriptural  proof  of  truth, 
is  here  an  effectual  way  of  combating  error.  What  Christ- 
ian does  not  long  for  the  day  when  that  ordinance  which 
too  often  has  served  to  divide  Christians,  shall  at  length 
serve  to  unite  them,  and  teach  them  what  it  was  evidently 
designed  to  do — to  love  one  another  even  as  Christ  has 
loved  them. 

He  has  introduced  statements  in  th*  body  of  the  work, 
and  confessions  in  the  meditations,  respecting  the  sinful- 
ness of  man,  which  some  may  think  too  strong,  or  too 
particular.  He  would  repeat  however  what  has  been 
often  observed,  that  the  true  penitent  will  have  a  far 
deeper  sense  of  the  guilt  of  an  evil  desire,  or  an  unholy 
temper,  than  a  person  careless  and  unconcerned  about 
his  soul  will  have  of  an  openly  immoral  action.  If  the 
Holy  Spirit  have  convinced  us  of  our  sinfulness,  there 
will  be  a  tenderness  of  conscience  as  to  the  commission 
of  sin,  to  which  worldly  men  are  entire  strangers.  They 
will  therefore  often  quite  mistake  the  believer's  real  cha- 
racter :-^looking  only  at  his  confessions,  they  would  count 
him  a  grievous  sinner;  but  looking  at  his  life,  they  will 
reckon  him  needlessly  precise  and  strict. 

He  has  to  express  his  obligations  for  the  valuable  re- 
marks of  a  kind  and  able  friend,  who  revised  much  of  the 
manuscript ;  and  of  a  dear  brother,  (dear  both  by  the  ties 
of  nature,  and  of  a  common  ministry  in  the  Gospel  of 
Christ,)  to  whom  he  is  indebted,  not  only  in  this,  but 
also    in  his  former  publications. 

May  a  blessing  from  above,  through  prayer,  and  the 
supply  of  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  attend  the  perusal  of  this 
Treatise  to  every  reader !  Greatly  shall  the  Author  re- 
joice, if  by  means  of  it,  any  should  obtain  clearer  views 
of  the  nature  of  this  ordinance,  and  be  assisted  in  the 
devout  celebration  of  it ;  have  greater  enjoyment  in  its 
observance,   and  more  practically  jmprove  it  afterwards. 

Islington, 

March  2,  1822. 

O ( 


G- 


ON  THE  LORD'S  SUPPER. 


CHAPTER  I. 

THE  APPOINTMENT  OF  THE  LORD'S  SUPPER. 

The  circumstances  in  which  the  Lord's  Supper  was 
first  appointed,  are  full  of  interest.  Let  us  for  a  mo- 
ment place  ourselves  at  Jerusalem,  at  its  first  institu- 
tion, amid  the  little  company  gathered  round  our  Lord 
in  the  upper  chamber.  It  was  a  solemn  and  impressive 
season.  He  had  just  foretold  the  speedy  destruction 
of  their  beautiful  city  and  magnificent  temple.  He 
had  clearly  intimated  to  them  that  a  scene  of  sorrow 
was  at  hand  ;  but  when  he  saw  the  anxiety  which  this 
occasioned,  he  laboured  to  support  and  encourage  them. 
The  disciples  were  deeply  affected  by  the  peculiar 
tenderness  both  of  his  discourses  and  of  his  conduct. 
He  told  them,  With  desire  I  have  desired  to  eat  this 
passover  with  you  before  I  suffer  :  for  I  say  unto  you,  I 
will  not  eat  any  more  thereof,  until  it  he  fulfilled  in  the 
kingdom  of  God.  He  then  washed  their  feet ;  and  after- 
wards, troubled  in  spirit.,  he  testijied,  One  of  you  shall 

o o 


o — - — — - — — — — ^ — — o 

12  THE    APPOINTMENT   OF 

betray  me.  Exceedingly  sorrowful,  each  of  them  ask- 
ed, Lord,  is  it  I? 

A  cloud  of  affliction  evidently  hung  OYer  their  heads, 
and  they  knew  not  what  was  before  them.  With  one 
exception,  they  deeply  loved  their  Master,  and  were 
determined  to  give  up  their  all  for  his  sake  ;  but  they 
were  most  of  all  troubled  at  the  thoughts  of  losing  the 
inestimable  advantages  of  his  presence,  his  converse, 
and  his  affectionate  care  and  guidance. 

In  the  midst  of  this  lowly  and  despised  company, 
observe  the  blessed  Saviour.  Affecting  indeed  must 
have  been  that  paschal  supper,  which  contained  so  live- 
ly a  resemblance  and  picture  of  his  own  immediate 
sufferings.  But,  laying  aside  all  consideration  for 
himself,  unmindful  of  his  own  sorrows,  he  spent  his 
time  in  comforting  his  disciples.  "  His  heart,"  says 
one,  "  was  filled  with  love  to  his  people ;  and  that 
love,  which  carried  him  to  all  the  darkness  and  diffi- 
culty through  which  he  was  to  go,  moved  him  to  insti- 
tute the  ordinance  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  for  the  benefit 
and  advantage  of  his  Church."  By  appointing  it  at 
this  affecting  moment,  he  made  the  memorial  of  his 
death  the  more  impressive,  and  increased  our  obliga- 
tions to  obey  the  command,  This  do  in  remembrance  qf 
me. 

In  order  to  have  distinct  and  clear  views  of  that  im- 
portant fact  of  which  this  institution  is  the  memorial, 
we  must  go  yet  farther  back,  and  briefly  retrace  the 
history  of  God's  dealings  with  man  from  the  be- 
ginning. 

Originally  man  was  created  pure  and  holy.  Sur- 
rounded with  every  good,  and  enjoying  the  favour  of 
God,  he  dwelt  in  Eden :  but,  by  disregarding  the  ap- 
pointed test  of  obedience,  he  fell  from  that  happy  state, 
O^ O 


0 _ 0 

THE    lord's    supper.  13 

and  became  guilty  and  sinful.  As  springing  from  sin- 
ful parents,  all  are  sinful,  and  under  the  sentence  of 
death.  In  Adam  all  die;  hy  one  man's  disobedience 
many  were  made  sinners. 

The  extent  of  this  corruption  will  be  seen  in  the 
divine  declaration,  that  the  imaginatio7i  of  man's  heart  is 
evil  from  his  youth  ;  and  in  the  confession  of  his  most 
devoted  servants,  Behold,  I  teas  shapen  in  wickedness, 
and  in  sin  did  my  mother  conceive  me  : — /  know  that  in 
me,  that  is,  in  my  flesh,  dioelleth  no  good  thing. 

But  God,  ivho  is  rich  in  mercy,  for  the  great  love  where- 
with he  loved  us,  did  not  leave  man  without  a  hope.  He 
promised  a  deliverer,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ^  The 
coming  of  this  deliverer  was  delayed  for  four  thousand 
years.  By  this  means  all  the  natural  tendencies  of  the 
human  heart  were  displayed,  and  man's  inability  to 
work  out  his  own  restoration  to  holiness  and  happiness 
was  fully  proved.  Hence  the  necessity  of  the  redemp- 
tion by  Jesus  Christ  was  made  manifest,  men  were  pre- 
pared to  expect  some  grand  fulfilment  of  the  splendid 
language  of  prophecy,  and  the  faith  of  God's  servants 
in  his  promises,  was  exercised  and  proved.  But  though 
the  coming  of  our  Lord  was  so  long  delayed,  such  clear 
intimations  of  his  person,  character,  and  work,  were 
given,  that  no  sincere  inquirer  could  mistake  the  Mes- 
siah when  at  length  he  appeared. 

In  order  to  fulfil  his  gracious  design,  it  pleased  God 
to  set  the  people  of  Israel  apart  from  other  nations,  and 
to  enter  into  a  covenant  with  them.  With  this  national 
covenant  was  interwoven  a  variety  of  rites  and  cere- 
monies, typical  of  the  promised  Redeemer.  Among 
these  rites,  sacrifices  (which  had  been  before  appoint- 
ed,) held  a  distinguished  place.  When  animals  were 
offered  in  sacrifice,  they  were,  in  pursuance  of  God's 

G O 


Q O 

14  THE    APPOINTMENT    OF 

direction,  slain  before  his  altar,  and  offered  up  to  him 
by  the  priest,  as  an  atonement  for  the  sins  of  the  wor- 
shipper. Thus  "  he  was  reminded,  on  the  one  hand, 
for  his  humiliation,  of  the  forfeiture  of  his  own  life,  of 
the  death  which  he  deserved  on  account  of  sin ;  and 
on  the  other,  for  his  consolation,  of  the  promised  sub- 
stitution of  another  in  his  stead,  to  bear  his  sin,  to  atone 
for  his  guilt,  and  to  screen  him  from  its  deserved  pun- 
ishment." A  lamb  was,  according  to  the  Mosaic  law, 
slain  every  morning  and  every  evening.  It  is  with 
reference  to  this  that  our  Lord  is  called  the  Lamh,  the 
Lamb  of  God,  that  taketh  away  the  sins  of  the  world. 
These  sacrifices  of  the  Jewish  Church  were  then  figura- 
tive of  his  death  for  our  sins. 

The  PASSOVER  must  also  be  here  particularly  noticed. 
It  was  one  of  the  three  principal  feasts  of  the  Jews, 
appointed  in  remembrance  of  their  deliverance  from 
Egypt.  At  this  feast  a  lamb,  without  spot  or  blemish, 
was  chosen,  and  after  it  had  been  kept  for  three  days, 
was  presented  and  slain  before  the  altar,  (Deut.  xvi.  5.) 
No  bone  was  to  be  broken,  but  it  was  roasted  with  fire, 
and  eaten  with  unleavened  bread.*     The  Jews  were 

*  Several  learned  men  have  supposed  that  the  Lord's  Supper 
was  designed  to  be  similar  to  the  ancient  Feast  on  Sacrifices. 
Their  general  statement  on  the  subject  is  as  follows.  The 
Jews  at  the  peace-offering  sacrifices,  (Lev.  vii.  15 — 20.)  as  well 
as  at  the  passover,  were  accustomed  to  feast  on  the  victim  that 
had  been  offered  as  a  sacrifice.  1  Sam.  ix  13.  The  heathen 
nations  also  retained  the  practice  of  eating  a  part  of  the  victim 
which  they  sacrificed,  (Exod.  xxxiv.  15.  Numb.  xxv.  2.  Psalm 
cvi.  28.)  in  order  to  participate  in  the  propitiation  supposed  to 
be  effected  by  the  sacrifice.  The  custom  of  a  feast  upon  a  sac- 
rifice was  very  general,  and  the  idea  was,  that  all  who  partook 
of  the  feast  manifested  an  approval  of  the  worship,  and  par- 
took of  the  benefit  of  the  sacrifice.  Hence  the  apostles  forbid 
Christians  to  eat  of  meats  offered  to  idols,  (Acts  xvi.  29.)  and 

o o 


0 ■ ■ — < 

THE    lord's    supper.  15 

to  show  their  children  at  this  feast  the  sacrifice  of  the 
Lord's  Passover,  and  how  God  had  delivered  them  from 
Egypt.  Exod.  xii.  26,  27 ;  xiii.  8.  It  was  thus  to  be  a 
striking  and  constantly  recurring  type  or  figure  of  that 

St.  Paul  shows  the  Corinthians  how  utterly  inconsistent  it  was 
that  they  who  went  to  the  Lord's  table  should  yet  go  to  the 
table  of  idolaters ;  ye  cannot  drink  of  the  cup  of  the  Lord  and 
the  cup  of  devils  ;  ye  cannot  be  partakers  of  the  Lord's  table 
and  of  the  table  of  devils.  Hence  also  St.  John  speaks  strongly 
and  repeatedly  against  those  who  eat  of  the  sacrifices  offered 
to  idols.  Rev.  ii.  14,  20.  Many  think  that  in  the  institution 
of  the  Lord's  Supper,  our  Lord  therefore  availed  himself  of 
this  ancient  and  general  practice,  in  order  by  analogy  to  im- 
press more  forcibly  on  the  minds  of  his  disciples  the  nature 
of  his  death  as  a  sacrifice,  the  necessity  of  an  interest  in  it,  and 
the  duty  of  professing  before  others  our  faith  in  his  blood.  For 
a  further  illustration  of  this  view,  the  reader  is  referred  to  Cud- 
worth,  Waterland,  Felling,  Warburton,  Cleaver,  Knox,  A. 
Clarke,  Card,  and  others  who  have  written  at  large  on  this 
point. 

But  the  writer,  after  considering  what  has  been  written  on 
this  subject,  seriously  hesitates  in  adopting  this  view,  on  these 
grounds :  We  do  not  eat  of  the  victim  itself.  What  we  do  is  in 
remembrance  of  him  who  was  the  victim.  The  sacrifice  for  sin 
is  the  principal  point  commemorated,  and  the  Jewish  sacrifice 
for  sin  was  not  to  be  eaten.  The  notion  does  not  necessarily 
flow  either  from  the  Apostle's  statement  in  the  Epistle  to  the 
Corinthians,  or  our  Lord's  words  in  the  appointment.  For  these 
reasons  the  writer  cannot  but  think  that  those  who  make  the 
Lord's  Supper  a  feast  on  a  sacrifice,  go  farther  than  the  Scrip- 
tures bear  them  out.  They  have  formed  an  ingenious  analogy 
to  the  sentiments  and  rites  of  antiquity  in  many  particulars ;  but 
they  do  not  appear  to  him  to  have  satisfactorily  proved  that 
it  was  our  Lord's  intention  that  this  ordinance  should  be  of  a 
similar  nature  to  the  ancient  feasts  on  a  sacrifice.  Nor  is  such 
a  view  by  any  means  necessary  in  order  to  rescue  this  Institu- 
tion from  the  statement,  given  by  some,  of  its  being  a  mere 
memorial,  unattended  with  special  benefits ;  as  the  subsequent 
part  of  this  treatise  will  sufficiently  show. 

o ■ — ■ — o 


0 , — . o 

16  THE    APPOINTMENT    OF 

great  sacrifice,  in  the  death  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
for  the  sake  of  which  God  passes  over  the  sins  of  his 
people.  The  way  in  which  the  Jews  observed  the 
passover,  will  illustrate  some  particulars  in  the  ap- 
pointment of  the  Lord's  Supper.  After  they  had  used 
great  diligence  in  putting  away  all  the  leavened  bread 
from  their  houses,  at  the  time  of  eating  the  passover, 
they  were  accustomed  to  take  a  piece  of  the  unleaven- 
ed bread,  and  bless,  break  it,  and  distribute  it  to  those 
assembled.  They  drank  wme  together  out  of  several 
distinct  vessels,  with  grateful  acknowledgments  of 
God's  goodness  to  them,  declaring  at  this  time  the 
things  which  he  had  done  for  Israel.  The  whole  was 
concluded  with  a  hymn  of  praise.  It  is  obvious  how 
similar  several  of  the  rites  observed  at  the  passover, 
were  to  those  adopted  in  the  Lord's  Supper.  And  it 
was  important  to  connect  the  Lord's  Supper  with  the 
Passover,  because  it  was  intended  to  supersede  that  or- 
dinance, and  to  be  illustrated  by  it. 

We  will  only  notice  further  with  respect  to  the  Jew- 
ish dispensation,  the  ratification  of  it.  The  cove- 
nant made  at  Mount  Sinai  was  ratified  by  the  sprinkling 
of  blood.  After  the  victim  had  been  sacrificed  unto 
the  Lord,  we  read,  Moses  took  half  of  the  blood,  and  put 
it  in  basins,  and  half  of  the  blood  he  sprinkled  on  the  altar. 
And  he  took  the  book  of  the  covenant,  and  read  in  the  au- 
dience of  the  people,  and  they  said.  All  that  the  Lord 
hath  said  will  we  do,  and  be  obedient.  And  Moses  took 
the  blood  and  sprinkled  it  on  the  people,  and  said.  Behold 
the  blood  of  the  covenant  which  the  Lord  hath  made  with 
you  concerning  all  these  words.  Exod.  xxiv.  Heb.  ix. 
19,  20.  Such  was  the  introduction  of  that  large  and 
grand  system  of  typical  atonements,  which  continued 

0 Q 


o- 


-o 


THE    LORD  S    SUPPER. 


17 


in  force  till  he  appeared,  who  put  away  sin  hy  the  sacri- 
fice of  himsef.     Heb.  ix.  26. 

Let  us  now  view  the  appointment  of  the  Lord's  Sup- 
per. It  was  at  the  feast  of  the  Passover,  and,  as  is 
generally  supposed,  immediately  after  partaking  of  it, 
and  probably  in  the  way  that  has  been  described,  that 
our  Lord  instituted  this  ordinance,  to  be  a  constant  me- 
morial of  his  atonement  for  sin,  and  of  his  ratification 
of  a  better  covenant  by  his  own  death. 

The  true  Paschal  Lamb,  even  Jesus  Christ,  being 
about  to  be  offered  up  as  a  sacritice  for  our  sins,  the 
type  and  shadow,  now  that  the  antitype  and  substance 
were  come,  were  no  longer  to  be  used.  The  slaying 
of  the  lamb  was  therefore  to  be  relinquished,  and  instead 
of  the  paschal  feast  of  remembrance,  the  feast  of  the 
Lord's  Supper  was  appointed.  One  was  instituted  the 
night  before  the  deliverance  from  Egypt ;  the  other  the 
night  before  our  deliverance  from  our  iniquities.  One 
commemorated  redemption  from  Egyptian  bondage ; 
the  other,  a  better  redemption  from  the  bondage  of  sin. 
One  prefigured,  by  shedding  of  blood,  the  redemption 
of  Christ :  the  other  would  exhibit,  by  striking  em- 
blems, a  redemption  already  accomplished.  By  this 
new  ordinance  our  Lord  told  his  disciples  that  the  Jew- 
ish dispensation  was  passing  away,  and  the  Christian, 
clearer  and  fuller  in  its  light,  and  richer  in  its  bless- 
ings, was  established  in  its  place.  As  it  was  needful 
to  partake  of  the  passover  as  the  means  and  pledge  of 
their  security  from  the  destruction  of  the  first-born,  so 
it  is  needful  for  us  to  partake  of  the  Lord's  Supper, 
as  the  means  and  pledge  of  our  deliverance  from  the 
destruction  coming  on  the  ungodly. 

With  this  information,  the  words  recording  the  ap- 
pointment of  this  ordinance  will  be  more  easily  under- 


o- 


2* 


-o 


o- 


^G 


18 


THE   APPOINTMENT   OF 


Stood.  We  have  an  account  of  them  in  four  different 
parts  of  the  New  Testament.  Matt.  xxvi.  26-30. 
Mark  xiv.  22-26.  Luke  xxii.  18-20.  1  Cor.  xi.  23-25. 
As  they  in  some  measure  vary,  the  whole  are  here 
given. 


Matt.  xxvi. 

(26.)  And  as 
they  were  eating, 
Jesus  took  bread 
and  blessed  it,  and 
brake  it,  and  gave 
to  the  discifiles, 
and  said,  Take, 
eat;  this  is  my 
body. 


(27.)  And  he 
took  the  cup,  and 
gave  thanks,  and 
gave  it  to  them, 
saying,  drink  ye 
all  of  it. 

(28.)  For  this 
is  my  blood  of  the 
New  Testament, 
which  is  shed  for 
many  for  the  re- 
mission of  sins. 

(29.)  But  I  say 
unto  you,  I  will 
not  drink  hence- 
forth of  this  fruit 
of  the  vine,  until 
that  day  when  I 
drink  it  new  with 
you  in  my  Fa- 
therms  kingdom. 

(30.)  And  when 
they  had  sung  an 


Mark  xiv. 
(22.)  And  as 
they  did  eat,  Je 
sus  took  bread, 
and  blessed,  and 
brake  it,  and  gave 
to  them,  and  said. 
Take,  eat ;  this  is 
my  body. 


out  into  theMount 
of  Olives 


(23.)  And  he 
took  the  cup,  and 
when  he  had  given 
thanks,  he  gave  it 
to  them  ;  and  they 
all  drank  of  it 

(24.)  And  he 
said  unto  them, 
This  is  my  blood 
of  the  New  Testa 
ment,  which  is 
shed  for  many 

(25.)  Verily  I 
say  unto  you,  I 
will  drink  no 
more  of  the  fruit 
of  the  vine,  until 
that  day  that  I 
drink  it  new  in 
the  kingdom  of 
God. 

(26.)  And  when 
they  had  sung  an 


hymn,  they  went  hymn,  they  went 


out  into  theMount 
of  Olives. 


Luke  xxii. 
(19.)  And 
took  bread, 
and  gave 
thanks,  and 
brake  it,  and 
gave  unto 
them,  say- 
ing, This  is 
my  body 
which  is  giv- 
en for  you  : 
this  do  in  re- 
membrance 
of  me. 

(20.)  Like- 
wise also  the 
cup  after 
supper,  say- 
ing, This 
cup  is  the 
New  Testa- 
ment in  my 
blood  which 
is  shed  for 
you. 


(18.)  For 
I  say  unto 
you,  I  will 
not  drink  of 
the  fruit  of 
the  vine,  un- 
til the  king- 
dom of  God 
shall  come. 


1  Cor.  xi. 

(23.)  The  Lord 
Jesus,  the  same 
night  in  which  he 
was  betrayed,  took 
bread  ; 

(24.)  And  when 
he  had  given 
thanks,  he  brake 
it,  and  said.  Take, 
eat :  this  is  my 
body  which  is  bro- 
ken for  you  :  this 
do,  in  remem- 
brance of  me. 

(25.)  After  the 
same  manner  he 
also  took  the  cup, 
when  he  had  sup- 
ped, saying,  This 
cup  is  the  New 
Testament  in  my 
blood  :  this  do  ye, 
as  oft  as  ye  drink 
it,  in  remem- 
brance of  me. 


-o 


o o 

THE    lord's    supper.  19 

These  different  passages  have  been  put  together  in 
a  harmony  as  follows  : — 

The  Lord  Jesus,  the  same  night  in  which  he  was  be- 
trayed, as  they  were  eating,  took  hread :  and  ivhen  he  had 
hlessed  it,  and  given  thanks,  he  brake  it,  and  gave  it  to  the 
disciples,  and  said,  Take,  eat ;  this  is  my  body  which  is 
given  and  broken  for  you  ;  this  do,  in  remembrance  of  me. 
And,  after  the  same  manner,  he  also  took  the  cup,  after 
supper;  and  gave  thanks,  and  gave  it  to  them  ;  saying, 
Drink  ye  all  of  it ;  and  they  all  drank  of  it,  and  he  said 
unto  them,  This  is  my  blood  of  the  New  Testament,  and 
this  cup  is  the  New  Testament  in  my  blood,  which  is  shed 
for  you  and  for  many  for  the  remission  of  sins.  This  do 
ye,  as  oft  as  ye  drink  it,  in  remembrance  of  me. 

Verily  I  say  unto  you,  I  ivill  drink  no  more  of  the  fruit 
of  the  vine,  until  that  day  when  I  shall  drink  it  new  with 
you  in  the  kingdom  of  my  Father,  in  the  kingdom  of  God. 
And  when  they  had  sung  an  hymn,  they  went  out  into  the 
Mount  of  Olives. 

It  is  evident  that  there  are  several  expressions  here 
used  which  require  to  be  duly  understood,  before  we 
can  intelligently  observe  this  ordinance.  Why  are 
bread  and  wine  to  be  used  on  this  occasion  1  In  what 
sense  was  the  bread  our  Saviour's  body  ?  How  was 
the  cup  his  blood  ?  What  is  the  meaning  of  his  body 
given  and  broken  ;  and  his  blood  shed  for  us  ?  Why 
are  we  to  eat  this  bread  and  drink  this  cup  ?  What 
is  the  nature  of  the  New  Testament  ?  In  what  views 
are  we  to  remember  Christ,  and  what  is  the  necessity 
and  benefit  of  so  doing  ?  The  consideration  of  some  of 
these  particulars  will  properly  come  in  this  chapter ; 
but  others  of  them  which  relate  more  directly  to  the 
great  doctrines  of  the  gospel,  will  require  more  full 
discussion  in  distinct  chapters. 

o 1 -o 


(5 9 

20  THE    APPOINTMENT    OF 

Do  you  ask  why  bread  was  appointed  to  be  used  ? — 
We  reply,  it  was  designedly  at  hand  when  our  Lord 
appointed  the  institution,  and,  being  used  in  the  Pass- 
over, it  connects  the  two  ordinances,  and  it  is  a  most 
significant  emblem  of  that  which  it  was  intended  to 
represent.  It  is  so  not  merely  in  the  mode  of  its 
preparation  for  our  use,  but  as  when  prepared,  it  is  the 
ordinary  support  of  man,  the  most  common,  necessary, 
and  wholesome  kind  of  food.  What  then  can  better 
represent  that  incarnate,  suffering,  and  dying  Saviour, 
who  is  the  food  of  our  souls  ? 

Do  you  ask  why  wine  was  appointed  ? — We  reply, 
this  also  was  designedly  at  hand,  and  being  used  in  the 
Passover,  it  also  connects  the  two  ordinances,  and  the 
preparation  of  wine  is  likewise  a  significant  emblem  of 
our  Saviour's  sufferings.  Wine,  too,  is  in  its  properties 
strengthening  and  exhilarating  ;  give  wine  unto  those 
that  he  of  heavy  hearts;  (in  the  margin,  hitter  of  sou/, 
Prov.  xxxi.  6.)  It  is  wine  that  maketh  glad  such  hearts, 
Psalm  civ.  15.  And  in  this  view,  wine  is  an  apt  figure 
of  that  blood  of  Christ,  which  being  forced  from  his 
bruised  body,  and  shed  for  our  sins  is  suited  to  revive 
and  comfort  the  fainting  spirit  of  man.* 

*  The  direction  to  drink  witie,  as  representing  the  blood  of 
Christ,  seems  contrary  to  the  analogy  of  the  Jewish  dispensa- 
tion, where  both  people  and  priests  were  forbidden  to  taste  the 
blood  in  any  case;  nor  were  the  priests  even  permitted  to  eat 
the  flesh  of  the  sin-offering.  Some  have  supposed  that  our  Lord 
designed  to  point  out  the  nearer  communion  which  we  have 
with  God,  and  the  clearer  discoveries  of  the  way  of  pardon 
through  the  gospel.  "  We  have,"  says  Bishoj)  Patrick,  "  such 
a  token  and  pledge  of  forgiveness  by  this  sacrifice,  as  the  an- 
cient peo))le  of  Gt)d  had  not,  of  forgiveness  of  their  offences  by 
the  blood  that  was  offered  at  their  altar."  Heb.  xiii.  10.  Perhaps, 
however,  it  might  serve  to  intimate  more  strongly,  as  it  doubt- 
less would,  by  its  being  contrary  to  the  current  of  all  their  pre- 

o o 


THE    LORD  S    SUPPER. 


21 


Do  you  ask,  why  are  both  bread  and  wine  ap- 
pointed ? — Various  reasons  may  be  given  for  this. 
Some  have  thought  that  the  thing  may  be  doubled,  to 
show  the  certainty  and  importance  of  it.  Gen.  xli.  32. 
But  there  are  other  more  forcible  reasons.  The  sepa- 
ration of  the  blood  from  the  body  marks  more  strongly 
the  death  of  the  victim  as  a  sacrifice.  The  blood  was 
considered  in  a  peculiar  way  to  be  the  life  of  every 
living  creature,  and  that  which  made  an  atonement 
for  the  soul.  Lev.  xvii.  11.  Again,  it  is  said,  (ver.  14.) 
with  marked  emphasis.  It  is  the  life  of  all  flesh ;  the 
blood  of  it  is  for  the  life  thereof;  therefore  I  said  unto 
the  children  of  Israel,  ye  shall  eat  the  Mood  of  no  man- 
ner of  flesh  :  for  the  life  of  all  flesh  is  the  blood  thereof: 
whosoever  eateth  it  shall  be  cut  off.  In  the  appointment, 
therefore,  of  the  blood  as  distinct  from  the  body,  there 
was  another  strong  intimation,  that  our  Saviour  gives 
his  life  for  us — that  his  soul  was  made  an  offering  of 
sin.     The  Jews  could  not  hear  the  command,  This  is 

judices,  that  Christ  actually  poured  out  his  soul  unto  death, 
in  giving  his  blood ;  it  may  also  show  that  the  words  of  our 
Lord  in  this  ordinance  will  not  bear,  in  any  view,  a  literal  in- 
terpretation. The  peculiar  direction  that  all  should  drink  of 
it,  and  the  assurance  that  all  did  drink,  is  observable  in  con- 
nexion with  the  practice  of  the  Roman  Catholics  to  deny  the 
cup  to  the  laity.  Nor  does  the  propriety  of  that  practice  ap- 
pear from  the  assertion  sometimes  made,  that  "  all  then  pre- 
sent were  ministers ;"  for,  not  to  say  that  the  disciples  could 
at  that  time  be  only  considered  as  believers  in  general,  such  a 
view  of  the  matter  would  prove  too  much ;  it  would  go  to  show 
that  the  laity  should  be  denied  the  bread  as  well  as  the  wine. 

The  order  of  the  words  is  instructive.  It  is  first  take,  and 
then  eat.  Christ  is  to  be  ours  in  possession  and  claim,  and 
afterwards  ours  in  fruition  and  enjoyment;  and  then,  this  is  my 
body,  to  intimate  that  the  sacred  elements  are  not  properly  to 
be  called  the  body  of  Christ  till  eaten. 


o 


G ■ ■ 

22  THE   APPOINTMENT    OF 

mi/  Hood,  drink  ye  all  of  it,  without  thinking  of  his  life 
being  offered  up  for  ours.  The  broken  bread  was 
very  descriptive  of  our  Saviour's  humiliation,  but  does 
not  afford  that  complete  and  striking  emblem  of  his 
death,  which  under  these  circumstances,  wine  poured 
out,  the  figure  of  his  blood  shed,  does.  Besides,  as 
meat  and  drink  are  both  necessary  to  nourish  us,  so 
the  two  figures,  of  the  body  and  blood,  seem  given  to 
show  us  that  there  is  in  Christ  Jesus  a  complete  nou- 
rishment  for  the  soul,  and  that  we  need  only  look  to  him 
for  every  part  of  our  salvation.  To  omit  either  bread 
or  wine  is  to  depart  from  that  primitive  institution,  on 
which  the  whole  authority  of  this  ordinance  rests. 
We  have  now  to  explain  in  what  sense  the  bread 

WAS  OUR  saviour's  BODY  AND  THE  CUP  HIS  BLOOD.      The 

previous  remarks  will  have  prepared  the  way  for  a  right 
understanding  of  these  words.  Let  us  remember,  also, 
the  general  nature  of  expressions  used  in  the  appoint- 
ment  of  divine  ordinances.  Of  circumcision  it  is  said. 
This  is  my  covenant,  (Gen.  xvii.  10.)  though  it  was 
only  the  token  of  the  covenant.  Of  eating  the  paschal 
lamb,  it  is  said.  It  is  the  Lord's  passover,  (Exod.  xii. 
H.)  though  it  was  only  the  sign  of  his  passing  over 
the  Israelites.  St.  Paul  calls  the  manna  spiritual  meat, 
and  the  water  that  flowed  from  the  rock  spiritual  drink, 
and  says,  that  rock  was  Christ,  1  Cor.  x.  3,  4.  So 
Christ  is  called  our  passover,  1  Cor.  v.  7.  Amid  these 
obvious  figures  in  similar  circumstances,  there  can  be 
no  difficulty  with  an  unbiassed  mind,  as  to  the  true  in- 
terpretation of  these  words.  The  disciples  do  not  appear 
to  have  seen  any  obscurity  in  them,  nor  to  have  asked 
our  Lord  to  explain  them.  They  had  before  been 
reproved  for  a  literal  interpretation  of  our  Lord's  direc- 
tion, Take  heed  and  beware  of  the  leaven  of  the  Phari- 

^    ^ - ^ -  V  6 


O — ( 

THE  lord's  supper.  23 

sees  and  Sadducees.  Matt.  xvi.  6-9.  Mark  viii.  15-21. 
They  had  seen  how  the  Jews  had  erred  at  Capernaum, 
(John  vi.  52.)  through  literally  interpreting  similar 
expressions  to  those  under  consideration,  at  which  time 
our  Lord  told  them,  the  words  that  I  speak  unto  you,  they 
are  spirit  and  they  are  life,  John  vi.  63.  And  when 
our  Lord  instituted  this  ordinance,  they  were  not  in 
the  least  danger  of  imagining  the  bread  and  wine  to 
be  the  actual  body  and  blood  of  the  Saviour,  because 
he  was  then  conversing  with  them.  From  these  con- 
siderations it  is  evident  that  the  declarations  of  our 
Lord,  on  this  occasion,  by  no  means  require  an  inter- 
pretation so  altogether  remote  from  common  sense  and 
experience,  as  either  the  transubstantiation  of  the  Ro- 
man Church,*  or  the  consubstantiation  of  the  Luther- 

*  The  acknowledged  and  authorized  document  of  the  Roman 
Church  respecting  transubstantiation,  is  here  recited  from  the 
Canons  of  the  Council  of  Trent.  That  Council  denounced  the 
following  curse  !  !  ! 

"  Jf  any  one  shall  say,  that  in  the  holy  sacrament  of  the  Eu- 
charist, there  remains  the  substance  of  bread  and  wine,  together 
with  the  body  or  blood  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  shall  deny 
that  singular  or  wonderful  conversion  of  the  whole  substance  of 
the  bread  into  his  body,  and  the  whole  substance  of  wine  into 
his  blood,  there  remaining  only  the  species,  that  is,  accidents 
of  bread  and  wine,  which  conversion  the  Catholic  Church  very 
aptly  calls  transubstantiation,  let  him  be  accursed."  See  Ses- 
sion 13.  can.  2. 

This  doctrine  was  introduced  by  Paschasius  Radburtus,  in  the 
ninth  century,  and  was  at  first,  even  in  that  dark  age,  vigorously 
opposed.  The  Book  of  Bertram,  on  the  subject,  in  that  century, 
has  been  preserved,  is  acknowledged  to  be  genuine  by  the  most 
learned  of  the  Catholics,  and  was  very  useful  at  the  Reforma- 
tion. Ridley  and  Cranmer  were  indebted  to  it  for  correct  views 
of  the  Lord's  Supper ;  views  which  they  have  embodied  in  the 
formularies  of  our  own  Church.  The  following  extracts  will 
show  Bertram's  sentiments.  '•  As  to  the  substance  of  the  crea- 
tures, what  they  were  before  consecration,  they  remain  after 

0 ' — o 


0 ..^ ^ -.- ^ ^ — ~o 

24  THE   APPOINTMENT   OF 

ans.  Had  our  Lord  meant  that  any  constant  miracle 
of  such  kind  was  to  be  performed  by  his  ministers,  and 
believed  by  his  people,  how  different  would  have  been 
his  expressions  !     The  words  are  not,  "  This  is  now, 


it.    Bread  and  wine  they  were  before,  and  after  consecration, 
we  see,  they  continue  beings  of  the  same  kind  and  nature." 

"  It  is  the  body  of  Christ,  yet  not  corporal  but  spiritual ;  it 
is  the  blood  of  Christ,  yet  not  corporal  but  spiritual :  so  that 
nothing  is  here  to  be  understood  corporally,  but  spiritually." 
(205.) 

"  Both  by  testimonies  out  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  of  the 
Fathers,  it  is  most  evidently  demonstrated,  that  the  bread  which 
is  called  the  body  of  Christ,  and  the  cup  which  is  called  the 
blood  of  Christ,  is  a  figure,  because  it  is  a  mystery."  (255.) 

"  The  bread  and  blood  which  is  placed  upon  the  altar,  is  set 
there  for  a  figure,  or  in  remembrance  of  the  Lord's  death,  that 
what  was  really  done  long  since,  may  be  called  to  our  present 
remembrance;  that  having  his  passion  in  our  mind, we  maybe 
made  partakers  of  that  divine  gift,  whereby  we  are  saved  from 
death,  knowing  well  that  when  we  shall  come  to  the  vision  of 
Christ,  we  shall  need  no  such  instruments  to  admonish  us,  what 
his  infinite  goodness  was  pleased  to  suffer  for  our  sakes ;  for  we 
shall  see  him  face  to  face ;  we  shall  understand,  not  by  the  out- 
ward admonition  of  temporal  things,  but  by  the  contemplation 
of  the  very  thing  itself,  how  much  we  are  obliged  to  give 
thanks  to  the  Author  of  our  salvation."  (259.) 

These  extracts  are  taken  from  the  valuable  edition  of  Ber- 
tram, which  was  published  in  1G88.  The  work  is  both  curi- 
ous and  satisfactory,  as  to  the  sentiments  of  the  fathers  previous 
to  Bertram,  and  of  the  church  in  general  in  his  age.  Cran- 
mer,  in  his  Treatise  on  the  Sacrament,  closely  follows  Ber- 
tram. 

One  great  danger  to  be  feared  from  the  Roman  Catholics,  is 
the  subtilty  with  which  they  cover  the  grossest  errors,  and  the 
plausible  appearance  they  give  to  the  most  dangerous  delusions. 
The  attempt  of  Fran,  a  Sancta  Clara,  in  a  work  published  in 
1634,  to  explain  the  thirty-nine  Articles  of  the  English  Church, 
so  as  to  give  them  a  Romish  sense,  when  many  of  them  directly 
oppose  the  Romish  doctrines,  is  a  specimen  of  this  subtilty. 

o o 


o — -O 

THE  lord's  supper.  25 

and  will  be  ever  hereafter,  when  vou  meet  IcTether, 
my  transubstantiated  and  real  body," — or,  "  let  it 
now  and  ever  hereafter  be  changed  into  my  body," 
— but  merely,  '^this  is  my  hody.'^  As  he  said,  "  lam 
the  true  vine, ^''  ^' I  am  the  door,'^  meaning  they  were 
a  figure  of  him  ;  so  the  bread  was  the  emblem,  figure, 
or  token,  of  our  Saviour's  body,  and  the  wine  of  his 
blood.  Just  as  in  seeing  a  bust  of  the  king,  v\^e  should 
say,  "  This  is  the  king !"  so  does  our  Saviour  say. 
This  is  my  body  .'"*  There  was  a  peculiar  propriety  in 
the  expression  which  he  made  use  of,  when  we  consider 
the  institution  as  appointed  in  remembrance  of  his 
sacrifice,  and  as  declaring  the  establishment  of  a  new 
covenant,  ratified  as  the  old  had  been,  by  the  shedding 
of  blood,  and  our  communion  in  its  blessings.  This 
will  be  more  fully  pointed  out  in  the  subsequent 
chapter. 

The  expression  used  in  giving  the  cup,  This  is  my 
blood,  must  be  interpreted  as  a  figurative  expression. 
The  cup  manifestly  denotes  the  wine  in  the  cup,  and 
that  wine  was  the  figure  of  our  Saviour's  blood.  And 
one  admitted  figure  surely  ought  to  make  those  who 
would  be  disposed  to  insist  on  a  literal  interpretation 
hesitate  in  their  statements. 

But  when  the  writer  remembers  how  the  most  emi- 
nent servants  of  God  have  contended  with  each  other 
on  this  subject,  he  cannot  but  add  an  earnest  desire  that 
it  might  please  God  that  all  who   love  our  Saviour 

*  The  old  Hebrew  and  the  Syriac  possess  no  word  that  answers 
to  our  English  terms  "signify"  or  "represent."  See  Gen.  xli. 
26,  27.  Dan.  xvii.  17-24.  Gal.  iv.  24,  25.  Rev.  i.  20.  They  use 
the  substantive  verb  for  this  term.  Our  Lord  could  not,  there- 
fore, according  to  the  ordinary  idiom  of  the  language,  have  ex- 
pressed himself  otherwise. 

o o 


o 0 

26  THE   APPOINTMENT    OF 

in  sincerity,  might  learn  to  lay  aside  fierce  disputes 
about  that  appointment,  which  is  peculiarly  calculated, 
when  rightly  viewed,  to  fill  our  hearts  with  love  to  him, 
and  love  to  each  other ;  and  that  all  his  people,  de- 
siring in  simplicity  of  heart  to  believe  what  he  has 
declared,  and  to  practice  what  he  commands,  might 
ever  seek  to  edify  each  other  in  love. 

Having  in  this  chapter  explained  several  of  the 
expressions  in  the  appointment  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  we 
shall  proceed  to  consider  in  subsequent  chapters,  more 
at  large,  those  important  doctrines  directly  connected 
with  it. 


G> 


o- 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE  ATONEMENT  MADE  BY  THE  DEATH  OF  CHRIST. 

In  instituting  the  Lord's  Supper,  our  Saviour  states, 
that  his  body  was  given  and  hroken  for  his  disciples, 
and  his  hJood  was  shed  for  them,  and /or  many,  for  the 
remission  of  sins. 

There  is  an  evident  reference  in  these  words,  to  the 
sacrifices  of  the  law  of  Moses,  which  were  figurative  of 
the  one  great  sacrifice  of  Christ.  The  epistle  to  the 
Hebrews  shows  this  sufficiently.  A  body  broken,  and 
blood  shed  for  the  remission  of  sins,  exhibit  the  mean- 
ing  and  intent  of  the  Mosaic  sacrifices. 

Those  sacrifices,  and  that  of  Christ,  are  thus  con- 
trasted  in  the  Hebrews,  (ix.  11.)  But  Christ  being  come, 
an  High  Priest  of  good  things  to  come,  by  a  greater 
and  more  perfect  tabernacle,  not  made  with  hands,  that 
is  to  say,  not  of  this  building ;  neither  by  the  bhod  of 
goats  and  calves,  but  by  his  own  blood,  he  entered  in  once 
into  the  holy  place,  having  obtained  eternal  redemption 
for  us.  For  if  the  blood  of  bulls  and  of  goats,  and  the 
ashes  of  an  heifer  sprinkling  the  unclean,  sanctifieth  to  the 
purifying  of  the  flesh,  how  much  more  shall  the  blood  of 
Christ,  who  through  the  eternal  Spirit  offered  himsef 
without  spot  to  God,  purge  your  consciences  from  dead 
works  to  serve  the  living  God. 

Indeed  the  blood  of  the  sacrifice  was  in  the  law  of 
Moses  so  indispensable  to  the  pardon  of  sin,  that  we  are 
I  assured,  ^^J^7AoM^  shedding  of  blood  is  no  remission.  Heb. 
O c 


o . o 

28  THE    ATONEMENT   MADE 

Ix.  22.  The  reason  is  given  in  Lev.  xvii.  11.  For  the 
life  of  the  Jlesh  is  in  the  hlood,  and  I  have  given  it  to  you 
upon  the  altar  to  make  an  atonement  for  your  souls,  for  it 
is  the  hlood  thatmaketh  atonement  for  the  soul. 

The  word  atonement  in  our  language  signifies  agree- 
ment :  or  the  means  by  which  agreement  or  reconcilia- 
tion is  made.  The  general  meaning  of  the  original 
Hebrew  word  is  to  hide  or  cover.  When  it  refers  to  sin, 
it  means  sin  forgiven,  remitted,  or  expiated,  through  the 
legal  rite  appointed  for  that  purpose.* 

The  Levitical  atonement,  in  all  cases,  produced  the 
effect  of  fitting  for  the  divine  service.  Where  moral 
character  was  concerned,  (which  in  one  view  was  the 
case,  even  when  atonement  was  made  for  the  holy 
place,  &c.  for  they  were  unclean  through  the  trans- 
gressions of  the  people.  Lev.  xvi.  16-19.)  the  atone- 
ment was  an  act  of  propitiation,  being  the  appointed 
way  for  making  the  Divine  Being  propitious  and  fa- 
vourable to  his  people.  So  that  atonement  and  recon- 
ciliation, or  forgiveness,  were  thus  intimately  con- 
nected. 

By  the  atonement  made  by  the  death  of  Christ,  we 
mean,  then,  that  the  sufferings  and  death  of  our  Lord 
were  accepted  as  a  sacrifice  for  sin,  in  regard  to  which 
God  forgives  our  iniquities. 

Were  there  no  other  proofs  of  this  doctrine  than  those 
expressions  used  in  the  appointment  of  the  Lord's  Sup- 
per, they  would  establish  it.  But  it  has  pleased  God 
to  express  so  important  a  truth  in  a  great  variety  of 
wavs. 

Before  wc  quote  additional  proofs  of  this  great  doc- 

*  See  Magee  on  the  Atonement,  and  Wardlaw  on  the  Soci- 
nian  Controversy. 

o — o 


BY   THE    DEATH    OF    CHRIST.  29 

trine,  let  us  briefly  notice  the  dignity  of  the  victim  who 
gave  himself  up  as  a  sacrifice.  God  was  manifest  in 
thejlesh;  He  who  is  over  all,  God  blessed  for  ever  ;  Je- 
hovah our  Righteousness ;  the  Mighty  God;  the  Ever- 
lasting Father:  the  Alpha  and  Omega;  the  beginning 
and  the  ending,  which  is,  and  which  was,  and  which  is 
to  come  ;  He  was  made  jlesh  and  dwelt  among  us.  By 
this  mysterious  and  incomprehensible  union  of  the  di- 
vine and  human  natures  in  the  person  of  our  Lord, 
an  infinite  value  was  given  to  his  sufferings  and  death, 
so  that  his  blood  cleanseth  from  all  sin  ;  he  is  the  propi- 
tiation for  our  sins,  and  not  for  ours  only,  but  also  for 
the  sins  of  the  whole  world.  It  is  this  view  alone  that 
speaks  peace  to  the  troubled  conscience.  When  a  man 
is  truly  awakened  to  a  sense  of  the  multitude  and  the 
magnitude  of  his  transgressions,  the  infinite  majesty  of 
Him  against  whom  he  has  offended,  and  the  true  desert 
and  tremendous  consequences  of  his  sins,  he  then  feels 
the  value  of  an  atonement  made  by  one  who  is  God 
as  well  as  man,  and  rejoices  in  it  as  that  which  can 
alone  be  a  sufficient  satisfaction  for  his  guilt. 

What  then  do  the  Scriptures  say  of  the  sufferings 
and  death  of  the  divine  Redeemer  ?  In  the  Old  Tes- 
tament we  find  various  testimonies  to  his  atonement. 
Thus  in  the  53d  of  Isaiah,  we  read,  The  Lord  hath 
laid  on  him  the  iniquity  of  us  all — He  was  wounded  for 
our  transgressions,  he  was  bruised  for  our  iniquities,  the 
chastisement  of  our  peace  was  upon  him,  and  with  his 
stripes  we  are  healed. —  When  thou  shalt  make  his  soul 
an  offering  for  sin,  he  shall  see  his  seed.  He  was  fore- 
told by  Daniel  as  the  Messiah  to  be  cut  off,  but  not  for 
himsef.  The  appointed  period  of  his  coming  was  fixed, 
to  finish  the  transgression,  and  to  make  an  end  of  sins, 
and  to  make  reconciliation  for  iniquity.     The  New  Tes- 


o- 


3* 


^ « _ o 

30  THE   ATONEMENT   MADE 

lament  language  is  still  more  express  and  decisive — 
The  Son  of  Man  came  to  give  his  life  a  ransom  for  many. 
Matt.  XX.  28.  He  died  for  the  ungodly.  Rom.  v.  6. 
God  hath  made  him  to  ie  sin  (a  sin  offering)  for  us, 
who  knew  no  sin,  that  we  might  he  made  the  righteousness 
of  God  in  him.  2  Cor.  v.  21.  He  gave  himself  for  us, 
an  offering  and  a  sacrifice  to  God.  Eph.  v.  2.  He  has 
reconciled  both  (Jew  and  Gentile)  unto  God,  in  one  body 
by  the  cross.  Eph.  ii.  16.  Once  in  the  end  of  the 
world  hath  he  appeared  to  put  away  sin  by  the  sacrifice 
of  himself  Christ  was  once  offered  to  bear  the  sins 
many.  Heb.  ix.  26,  28.  Who,  his  own  self,  bear  of 
our  sins  in  his  own  body  on  the  tree.     1  Pet.  ii.  24. 

These  are  but  a  brief  selection  of  passages  which 
show  that  the  all-important  truth  of  an  atonement  for 
sin,  made  by  the  Son  of  God,  is  confirmed  by  a  great 
variety  of  expressions,  and  by  repeated  testimonies  and 
declarations.  How  very  different  would  have  been  the 
mode  of  expression,  had  Christ  merely  died  as  an  ex- 
ample, and  pattern  of  patience  and  long-suffering  ! 
How  easy  and  natural  would  it  have  been  for  all  the 
sacred  writers  to  have  used  another  phraseology,  had 
they  designed  to  convey  any  other  instruction  than  that 
which  is  obvious  at  the  first  glance,  to  every  simple 
and  humble  mind !  The  doctrine  of  the  atonement 
will  from  such  passages  be  manifest  to  those  who  read 
the  Scriptures  with  an  unbiassed  and  unprejudiced 
mind! 

The  great  design  of  this  atonement  is  clearly  and 
fully  explained  by  St.  Paul,  in  the  3d  of  Romans. 
After  having  shown  the  universal  sinfulness  and  guilt 
of  man,  he  goes  on  to  declare  the  way  of  acceptance 
with  the  holy  and  righteous  God  in  these  words,  Being 
justifiedfreely  by  his  grace,  through  the  redemption  that 
Q O 


> o 

BY   THE    DEATH    OF    CHRIST.  31 

is  in  Jesus  Christ,  wliom  God  had  set  forth  to  he  a  'pro- 
pitiation, through  faith  in  his  hlood,  to  declare  his  right- 
eousness for  the  remission  of  sins  that  are  jmst,  through 
the  forbearance  of  God :  to  declare,  I  say,  at  this  time 
his  righteousness,  that  he  might  be  just,  and  the  justfer 
of  him  that  believeth  in  Jesus. 

We  may  observe  in  this  passage,  that  the  Apostle 
notices  two  leading  effects  connected  with,  and  result- 
ing from,  the  atonement  of  Christ.  It  illustrates  the 
divine  perfections,  and  at  the  same  time  brings  salva- 
tion to  the  guilty. 

It  ILLUSTRATES  THE    DIVINE    PERFECTIONS.       The  doC- 

trine  of  Christ's  propitiation  is  the  solution  of  an  appa- 
rently inexplicable  difficulty.  The  holy  and  righteous 
God,  who  had  asserted  that  he  would  not  acquit  the 
guilty,  and  who  had  declared,  he  that  justifeth  the  wicked, 
and  he  that  condemneth  the  just,  even  they  both  are  an 
abomination  to  the  Lord,  had  yet  for  four  thousand  years 
been  pardoning  and  blessing  sinful  man,  and  was  then 
dispensing  pardon  to  believers  through  the  world.  This 
procedure  the  Apostle  shows  is  consistent  with  the 
justice  of  God,  and  the  truth  of  his  word,  by  the  death 
of  Christ  being  an  atonement  for  sin.  The  strictness, 
purity,  and  excellence  of  God's  holy  law  are  fully 
manifested,  his  authority  is  preserved,  the  ends  of  justice 
are  obtained,  even  in  a  more  impressive  way,  by  the 
incarnation,  sufferings,  and  death  of  the  divine  substi- 
tute, than  they  would  have  been  merely  by  the  punish- 
ment of  the  guilty  creature. 

While  the  mercy  of  God  is  fully  displayed,  his  abhor- 
rence of  sin  is  at  the  same  time  manifested  in  the  strong- 
est way.  Dr.  Wardlaw  has  well  expressed  this. 
Speaking  of  the  substitution  of  Inimanuel  as  a  volun- 
tary surety,  to  bear  the  curse  of  the  law  in  the  room 

o — o 


G ^— O 

32  THE   ATONEMENT   MADE 

of  the  guilty,  he  says,  "  In  this  substitution  we  see 
displayed,  in  a  manner  unutterably  affecting  and  awful, 
the  lioly  purity  of  the  divine  nature,  for  no  testimony 
can  be  conceived  more  impressive  of  infinite  abhorrence 
of  sin  than  the  sufferings  and  death  of  the  Son  of  God. 
Here,  too,  we  behold  the  immutable  justice  of  the  divine 
government,  inflicting  the  righteous  penalty  of  a  vio- 
lated law.  It  is  to  be  considered  as  a  fixed  principle 
of  the  divine  government,  that  sin  must  be  punished ; 
that  if  the  sinner  be  pardoned,  it  must  be  in  a  way  that 
marks  and  publishes  the  evil  of  his  offence.  This  is 
also  effected  by  substitution,  and  as  far  as  we  can  judge, 
could  not  be  effected  in  any  other  way.  In  inflicting 
the  sentence  against  transgression  on  the  voluntary  and 
all-sufficient  Surety,  Jehovah,  while  he  clears  the  sin- 
ner,  does  not  clear  his  sins.  Although  clothed  with 
the  thunders  of  vindictive  justice  against  transgression, 
he  wears  to  the  transgressor  the  smile  of  reconcilia- 
tion and  peace  ;  he  dispenses  the  blessings  of  mercy 
from  the  throne  of  his  holiness  ;  and,  while  exercising 
grace  to  the  guilty,  he  appears  in  the  characters,  equal- 
ly lovely  and  venerable,  of 

The  sinner's  friend. 


o 


And  sin's  eternal  foe. 

"  In  this  way  then  all  the  ends  of  public  justice  are 
fully  answered.  The  law  retains  its  complete  un- 
mitigated perfection,  is  magnified  and  made  honourahle. 
the  dignity  and  authority  of  the  Divine  Government  are 
maintained  and  even  elevated — all  the  perfections 'of 
Deity  are  gloriously  illustrated  and  exhibited  in  sublime 
harmony.  Such  a  view  of  the  Divine  Being  is  present- 
ed on  the  cross,  as  is  precisely  calculated  to  inspire  and 
maintain  (to  inaintain  too  with  a  power  which  will  in- 


-O 


) -    — — ~ 0 

BY    THE    DEATH    OF    CHRIST.  33 

crease  its  influence  the  more  closely  and  seriously  the 
view  is  contemplated)  the  two  great  principles  of  a  holy 
life,  the  love  and  the  fear  of  God ;  filial  attachment, 
freedom,  and  confidence,  combined  with  humble  rever- 
ence  and  holy  dread." 

The  importance  of  the  subject,  and  the  justice  and 
excellence  of  Dr.  Wardlaw's  remarks,  will  justify  the 
length  of  the  quotation. 

We  may  observe  also  that  salvation  is  thus  become, 
as  it  respects  Christ  and  those  for  whom  he  died,  an  act 
of  divine  justice  as  well  as  divine  mercy.  God,  as  he 
is  a  just  God,  does  not  condemn  believers,  since  Christ 
has  borne  the  punishment  of  their  sins,  and  purchased 
them  for  himself.  Blessed  be  God,  our  pardon  and 
acceptance  in  Christ  Jesus,  is  now  built  on  that  very 
attribute  which  is  so  dreadful  and  alarminor  to  the 
offending  sinner !  That  which  seemed  the  main  bar 
against  our  acceptance,  is  now  become  the  very  ground 
why  God  accepts.  Justice  and  mercy  both  triumph 
together.  God  remains  righteous,  and  yet  rebellious 
man  may  be  for  ever  blessed. 

Thus  the  cross  of  Christ  gives  the  brightest  display 
of  all  the  divine  perfections.  It  is  a  glass  in  which  all 
created  intelligence  may  see  and  discover,  in  a  way 
that  they  never  otherwise  could,  the  glory  of  God's  wis- 
dom, power,  righteousness,  justice,  mercy,  and  truth. 

While  God  is  glorified,  through  the  same  atonement 

A  WAY    OF    SALVATION  IS    PROVIDED    FOR  SINNERS.       We 

shall  have  occasion,  in  considering  afterwards  the  na- 
ture of  the  New  Covenant,  to  enter  into  a  fuller  view 
of  the  nature  of  this  salvation,  and  therefore  will  here 
only  briefly  notice  some  of  the  more  direct  blessings 
which  are  obtained  by  this  atonement. 

There  is,  first,  forgiveness.      We  have  redemption 
Q 6 


O 0 

34  THE   ATONEMENT   MADE 

through  the  Hood  of  Christ,  the  forgiveness  of  sins,  accord- 
ing to  the  riches  of  his  grace.  The  Apostle,  in  the  pas- 
sage in  Romans  above  referred  to,  also  shows  that  God 
is  righteous  in  the  remission  of  sins  that  are  past.  As  if 
he  had  said,  the  sins  committed  before  the  coming  of 
Christ,  were,  through  the  infinite  compassion  of  God, 
forgiven  on  account  of  the  propitiation  that  was  to  be 
effected  by  his  death.  All  the  sin  of  man,  therefore, 
that  ever  was  or  will  be  forgiven,  was  forgiven  through 
his  atoning  sacrifice.  God's  exacting  the  punishment 
of  sin  in  the  death  of  Christ,  explained  the  mystery 
of  divine  patience  and  truth,  in  not  punishing  our  first 
parents,  Adam  and  Eve,  with  instant  death,  and  in 
bearing,  for  so  many  thousand  years,  with  the  wicked- 
ness of  mankind  ;  and  it  cleared  the  divine  righteous- 
ness, and  accounted  for  his  forbearance  with  the  rebel- 
lion  and  sin  of  his  creatures.  The  same  atonement  is 
still  amply  sufficient  to  cover  the  whole  of  our  trans- 
gressions against  the  divine  law.  The  pardon  of  sin, 
of  all  sin,  of  the  greatest  and  most  aggravated  sins,  the 
free  and  entire  removal  of  the  load  of  guilt  from  the 
conscience,— that  is  the  glory  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ. 

The  benefit  of  the  atonement  of  Christ  is  also  exhibit- 
ed in  another  light  as  the  cause  of  the  free  justifi- 
cation of  the  believer.  His  sins  are  not  only  pardoned, 
but  he  is  freed  from  the  penalty  of  sin.  Being  jiisti- 
fed  freely  hy  his  grace,  is  the  great  blessing  which  the 
Apostle  grounds  on  Christ's  propitiation.  By  this  re- 
demption of  Christ,  a  way  is  provided  for  the  guilty 
sinner  being  accounted  and  dealt  with  as  altogether 
righteous.  God  whose  judgment  is  according  to  truth, 
whose  sentence  is  final  and  decisive,  is  the  jiistifier 
of  him  that  helieveth  in  Jesus. 

Nor  can  we  forbear  noticing  also  sanctification,  as 

o ■ o 


0 o 

BY   THE    DEATH    OF    CHRIST.  35 

another  effect  connected  with  the  atonement.  It  is,  as 
we  have  seen,  peculiarly  calculated  to  promote  genuine 
love  to  God  and  man.  Ye  are  bought  wiih  a  price  ; 
therefore,  glorify  God  in  your  hody  and  in  your  spirit 
which  are  his — If  God  so  loved  us,  we  ought  also  to  love 
one  another.  His  unspeakable  love  furnishes  the  most 
powerful  and  attractive  motive  to  obedience  ;  and  adds 
new  force  to  every  other  consideration  which  calls  on 
us  to  obey  the  will  of  God. 

Let  us  farther  observe,  how  we  partake  of  the 
BLESSINGS  OF  THE  ATONEBiENT :  for  in  vain,  as  to  our 
salvation,  has  Christ  shed  his  precious  blood,  and  glo- 
rified God  and  procured  blessings  for  man,  if  we  are 
not  partakers  of  the  henejit.  On  this  important  point,  the 
Scriptures  are  very  express.  It  is  through  faith  in  his 
blood  that  God  is  propitious  to  us.  God  justifies  him 
that  believeth  in  Jesus.  Rom.  iii.  25,26.  To  himiliat 
worketh  not,  but  believeth  on  him  that  justifieth  the  ungod- 
ly, his  faith  is  counted,  for  righteousness.  Rom.  iv.  5. 
Similar  passages  are  very  numerous.  The  nature  of 
faith  will  be  considered  more  at  large  in  the  following 
chapter. 

We  would  now  press  on  the  reader's  attention  the 
importance  of  the  subject.  It  is  not  a  matter  of  mere 
speculation  and  theory,  but  a  principal,  a  practical,  and 
a  most  cheering  truth,  revealed  for  our  unspeakable 
benefit.  The  subject  is  of  infinite  magnitude.  It  is 
God's  appointed  plan  of  salvation  :  it  is  his  only  plan  : 
there  is  none  other  name  under  heaven  given  among  men, 
whereby  we  must  be  saved.  Surely  nothing  can  be  con- 
ceived of  more  immense  moment  to  the  human  race, 
than  that  Avhich  concerns  the  salvation  of  innumerable 
millions  of  immortal  souls,  their  peace  and  holiness 
here,  their  deliverance  from  eternal  woe,  and  their  ob- 
O Q 


O ^ __ Q 

36  THE   ATONEMENT   MADE 

taining  eternal  life.  O  that  every  reader  may  so  seek 
an  interest  in  this  salvation,  as  to  enjoy  its  blessings, 
and  to  ke\  in  his  own  happy  experience,  what  an  an- 
imating motive  the  atoning  death  of  Christ  is,  to  a  life 
of  holiness  and  devotedness  to  that  God  who  so  loved 
us,  that  he  spared  not  his  oion  Son,  but  delivered  him  up 
for  us  all.  We  cannot  speak  of  this  great  subject 
merely  in  the  language  of  cold  statement.  Christian 
reader  !  let  our  hearts  magnify  and  praise  the  Lord. 
The  Lord  hath  done  great  things  for  us,  whereof  we  are 
glad.    Let  our  songs  ascend  up  to  his  throne.     Let  us 

join  the  heavenly  host  in  their  never-ceasing  hymn 

Worthy  is  the  Lanib  that  tms  slain,  to  receive  power 
and  riches,  and  wisdom,  and  strength,  and  honour,  and 
glory,  and  blessing. 

The  view  which  has  thus  been  given  of  the  death  of 
Christ  appeared  needful  to  enable  us  to  form  right  con- 
ceptions of  the  Lord's  Supper.  In  this  view  of  his 
death,  well  might  a  solemn  ordinance  be  appointed, 
for  its  perpetual  exhibition,  and  commemoration.* 
Dr.  Doddridge  justly  remarks,  "  I  apprehend  this  or- 
dinance of  the  Eucharist  to  have  so  plain  a  reference 
to  the  atonement  or  satisfaction  of  Christ,  and  to  do  so 

*  How  dreadfully  the  Socinians  would  pervert  this  ordinance, 
may  be  seen  in  the  following  extract  from  one  of  their  writers. 
"  If  the  Unitarian  Society,  on  their  English  Anniversary  Festi- 
val, were  to  consecrate  the  first  goblet  to  the  immortal  memory 
of  the  great  founder  of  their  faith,  they  would  more  faithfully 
copy  the  spirit  of  this  institution,  than  any  rival  creedsman, 
and  would  accomplish  the  association  of  religion  with  the  ra- 
tional and  habitual  pleasures  of  mankind."  Dr.  Gregory  on  this 
makes  the  following  observation.  "  This  attempt  at  transmuting 
the  orgies  of  Jl.icchus  into  a  Christian  rite,  will  not  succeed  with 
those  who  have  beheld  by  faith  the  Lamb  of  God  that  taketh 
away  the  sin  of  the  world.'" 


0- 


-o 


BY    THE    DEATH    OF    CHRIST.  37 

solemn  an  honour  to  the  fundamental  doctrines  of  the 
Gospel,  that  I  cannot  but  believe  that  while  this  sacred 
institution  continues  in  the  Church,  (as  it  will  un- 
doubtedly do  to  the  end  of  the  world)  it  will  be  impos- 
sible to  root  that  doctrine  out  of  the  minds  of  plain  hum- 
ble Christians." 

As  we  have  seen,  the  very  words  appointing  the  or- 
dinance bring  before  us  the  doctrine  of  the  atonement, 
by  telling  us  of  Christ's  body  given  and  broken  for  us, 
and  his  blood  shed  for  the  remission  of  our  sins. 

We  shall  farther  see,  in  the  next  chapter,  how  we 
participate  in  the  atonement  of  Christ. 


O- 


o — ^ o 


CHAPTER  III. 
ON  FAITH  IN  Christ's  atonement. 

The  Lord's  Supper  is  manifestly  an  institution  de- 
signed only  for  Christians,  for  sincere  believers  in  Jesus 
Christ.  It  is  well  known  that  the  primitive  churches 
were  very  particular  in  exercising  a  strict  discipline, 
to  keep  the  unbelieving  from  that  holy  table.  Indeed, 
our  attendance  there  without  faith  in  Him,  would  be  a 
mere  act  of  hypocrisy. 

Hence  it  becomes  important  for  us  to  understand  the 
nature  of  faith.  The  idea  is  in  itself  so  simple,  as 
rather  to  be  obscured  than  elucidated  by  definition. 
Faith  in  God's  word  is  the  same  as  faith  in  man's  word, 
a  sure  belief  of  what  is  said.*  True  faith  is  a  prac- 
tical belief  of  the  word  of  God,  and  especially  of  the 
record  which  he  hath  given  of  his  Son.  If  we  receive 
the  witness  of  men,  the  witness  of  God  is  grater — he 
that  believeth  not  God,  hath  made  him  a  liar,  because  he 
helieveth  not  the  record  that  God  gave  of  his  Son. 

The  Holy  Scriptures  illustrate  the  nature  and  ef- 
fects of  this  faith  in  a  variety  of  ways,  describing  it  as 
a  coming  to  Christ,  looking  unto  him,  receiving  him, 
putting  him  on,  trusting  in  him,  living  upon  him,  and 
the  like.  These  figures  very  strikingly  exhibit  the 
inward  workings  of  the  believer's  heart. 

*  The  scriptures  accurately  describe  it  to  be  the  substance 
(t)7roo-ra(7(f,  Confidence,)  of  things  hoped  for;  the  evidence  (fXey^os, 
conviction,)  of  things  not  seen.    Heb.  xi.  1. 

G : O 


0 . c 

ON  FAITH  IN  Christ's  atonement.  39 

Repentance  and  faith  are  most  intimately  connected 
in  the  Holy  Scriptures.  Matt.  xxi.  32.  Mark  i.  1.5. 
Acts  XX.  21.  There  is  no  repentance  without  faith,  and 
no  lively  faith  without  repentance.  It  has  been  ob- 
served, that  repentance  and  faith  are  only  two  branches 
of  the  same  vital  root  of  ilie  new  creature  in  Christ 
Jesus. 

The  object  in  this  chapter  is  not,  however,  to  explain 
the  nature  of  faith  in  general,  or  faith  in  Christ,  (which 
is  a  believing  all  that  the  scriptures  say  of  him  as  a 
Divine  Saviour,  and  so  receiving  him  in  all  his  offices, 
as  our  Prophet,  Priest,  and  King,)  but  to  bring  before 
the  reader  the  nature  and  importance  of  faith  in  his 
blood.  Rom.  iii.  25.  There  is  in  the  Lord's  Supper, 
when  duly  received,  a  special  act  of  faith  in  the  atone- 
ment of  Christ.  This  is  a  point  of  the  utmost  import- 
ance, as  it  regards  our  individual  salvation.  Our  holi- 
ness too,  and  our  comfort,  as  well  as  our  duly  partak- 
ing of  this  ordinance,  are  closely  connected  with  right 
views  on  this  subject. 

There  are  some  expressions  in  a  discourse  recorded 
in  the  6th  of  John,*  which  have  often  been  referred  to 
the  Lord's  Supper,  and  which  will  assist  us  to  under- 
stand the  nature  of  this  faith.  The  circumstances  of 
that  discourse  were  these.  The  miracle  of  feeding 
the  multitude  with  bread,  and  their  thence  following 
our  Lord,  having  led  him  to  exhort  them  to  labour  for 
the  meat  which  endureth  to  everlasting  life,  they  ask 
him,  What  shall  we  do  that  we  might  work  the  works  of 

*  It  is  observable,  that  this  evangelist,  who  omits  the  men- 
tion of  the  appointment  of  the  external  ordinances  of  baptism 
and  the  Lord's  Supper,  dwells  most  at  large  on  the  spiritual 
import  of  those  ordinances,  regeneration  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  and 
I  faith  in  the  atonement  of  Christ. 

G < 


O— > . .^ 0 

40  ON  FAITH  IN  Christ's  atonement. 

God  ?  His  reply  was,  Tliis  is  the  work  of  God,  that 
ye  believe  on  him  whom  he  hath  sent.  The  Jews  ask 
for  a  proof  of  his  mission,  and  tell  hinn  of  the  manna 
which  Moses  had  given.  This  leads  our  Lord  to  show 
them  a  better  food— 7am  the  bread  of  life;  he  that 
Cometh  to  me  shall  never  hunger,  and  he  that  believeth  on 
me  shall  never  thirst.  He  farther  explains  himself, 
when  he  says.  The  bread  that  I  will  give  is  my  flesh, 
which  I  will  give  for  the  life  of  the  world.  The  Jews 
were  stumbled  at  this;  but  our  Lord  only  the  more 
solemnly  asserts,  Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  except 
ye  eat  the  flesh  of  the  Son  of  Man,  and  drink  his  blood, 
ye  have  no  life  in  you.  Whoso  eatelh  my  flesh,  and 
drinketh  my  blood,  hath  eternal  life,  and  I  will  raise  him 
up  at  the  last  day.  For  my  flesh  is  meat  indeed,  and 
my  blood  is  drink  indeed. 

To  prevent  any  misunderstanding  of  these  words  by 
giving  them  a  mere  literal  interpretation,  our  Lord 
afterwards  told  his  disciples,  It  is  the  Spirit  that  quick- 
eneth,  the  flesh  proflteth  nothing  ;  the  words  that  I  speak 
unto  you,  they  are  spirit  and  they  are  life. 

The  great  subject  inculcated  in  this  discourse,  is 
such  a  faith  in  Christ  as  leads  the  soul  to  rely  on  his 
giving  his  flesh  for  the  life  of  the  world.  The  discourse 
does  not  directly  refer  to  the  Lord's  Supper,  for  there 
is  not  in  the  whole  statement  the  slightest  mention  or 
hint  of  that  appointment,  nor  could  his  hearers  have 
had  any  clear  understanding  of  his  words,  if  he  were 
supposed  to  be  speaking  of  an  ordinance  never  appoint- 
ed, nor  even  intimated  before.  In  such  a  case,  would 
not  our  Lord's  words  have  wanted  that  distinctness 
and  precision  which  usually  characterize  his  dis- 
courses ? 

Our  Lord  here  takes  occasion  from  what  had  pre- 
i — — — O 


O G 

ON  FAITH  IN  Christ's  atonement.  41 

viously  passed,  to  illustrate  the  nature  of  faith  in  him, 
by  food  received  for  the  support  of  the  body.  By  the 
jiesh  of  the  Son  of  Man  and  his  blood,  he  means  his 
becoming  man  and  dying  for  us  ;  (Heb.  ii.  14.)  by 
his  flesh  being  given  for  the  Ufe  of  the  world,  he  points 
out  the  atonement  which  he  would  by  his  death  make 
for  mankind  ;  and  by  eating  that  flesh,  and  drinking 
that  blood,  he  shows  how  we  partake  of  this  blessing. 
Faith  is  to  the  mind,  what  partaking  of  food  is  to  the 
animal  frame.  We  know  that  before  food  can  nou- 
rish us,  it  must  be  received,  eaten,  and  digested:  and 
so  before  any  sentiments  or  statements  can  benefit  us, 
we  must  believe  them  and  dwell  upon  them  ;  or,  (as 
in  the  same  allusion  the  Church  Collect  expresses  it,) 
we  must  "  inwardly  digest  them."  The  truths  of 
Scripture,  and  the  doctrines  of  salvation  by  Jesus 
Christ,  can  only  influence  us,  and  produce  in  us  corres- 
ponding affections,  as  they  are  received,  as  they  are 
credited  and  thought  upon. 

Thus  the  doctrine  of  the  atonement  may  be  known  in 
a  general  way;  we  may  be  able  to  state  it  accurately, 
and  prove  it  strongly,  without  our  being  influenced  by 
it,  or  having  any  interest  in  it ;  in  order  to  obtain  the 
blessing  ourselves,  we  must  receive  the  atonement. 
Rom.  v..  11,  17.  Saving  faith  has  a  special  reference 
to  this  doctrine.  The  faith  by  which  Christians,  under 
the  Gospel  dispensation,  are  justified  and  accounted 
righteous  before  God,  is  such  a  persuasion  of  the 
truth  of  the  divine  declarations  respecting  the  sacri- 
fice of  Jesus  Christ,  as  makes  the  soul  cleave  to  him, 
and  produces  a  sure  trust  and  reliance  upon  his  obe- 
dience unto  death,  as  our  only  and  all-sufficient  ground 
of  hope  for  the  pardon  of  sin,  peace  with  God,  the  gift 
of  eternal  life ;  and  makes  us  apply  to  him  for  his 

o o 

4* 


o — o 

42  ON  FAITH  IN  Christ's  atonement. 

Holy  Spirit  to  purify  us,  for  strength  and  every  spirit- 
ual  blessing.  When  we  are  "enabled  thus  to  be- 
lieve and  come  to  God  with  our  load  of  guilt  and 
misery,  not  trusting  in  our  own  righteousness,  but  in 
his  manifold  and  great  mercies,  as  flowing  to  sinners 
through  the  sacrifice  and  atonement  of  Christ,  then  we 
find  peace  of  conscience,  and  a  quiet  mind."  Our 
souls  are  satisfied  and  strengthened,  and  our  hearts 
are  set  at  liberty  to  love  and  serve  God  with  gratitude 
and  entire  devotedness. 

The  Church  of  England  speaks  very  decisively  on 
this  subject.  "  The  right  and  true  Christian  faith  is, 
not  only  to  believe  that  Holy  Scripture,  and  all  the 
foresaid  articles  of  our  faith,  are  true,  but  also  to  have 
a  sure  trust  and  confidence  in  God's  merciful  promises, 
to  be  saved  from  everlasting  damnation  by  Christ; 
whereof  doth  follow  a  loving  heart  to  obey  his  com- 
mandments."* 

Only  conceive  the  state  of  mind  of  one  awakened  to 
a  true  knowledge  of  the  law  of  God  in  its  reasonable- 
ness, its  purity,  and  its  extent ;  and  a  true  sense  of  his 
own  exceeding  sinfulness.  He  sees  that  he  is  justly 
condemned,  heaven  is  forfeited,  divine  wrath  is  incur- 
red, and  any  moment  may  plunge  him  into  irremedia- 
ble and  endless  ruin  ;  and  then  say  whether  there  mav 
not  be  desires  wrought  in  the  heart,  that  can  be  weil 
compared  to  hunger  and  thirst ;  and  whether  there  be 
not  in  the  salvation  of  Jesus  Christ,  that  which  may 
justly  be  called  the  bread  of  life,  and  the  fountain  of 
living  waters  ;  and  whether  faith  in  his  doctrines  may 
not  nourish  and  support  the  soul,  just  as  much  as  the 
most  suitable  food  does  the  body  !     Bread  or  flesh  is 


*  See  Homilv  on  Salvation. 

o— : G 


o o 

ON  FAITH  IN  Christ's  atonement.  43 

not  more  adapted  to  meet  the  necessities  of  the  hungry, 
nor  wine  to  strengthen  and  revive  the  weak,  than  the 
atonement  of  the  incarnate  Saviour  is  to  supply  the 
wants  of  the  convinced,  humbled,  and  penitent  sinner. 
Nothing  else  mdeed  will  supply  his  wants.  Arch- 
bishop Cranmer  (whose  Treatise  on  the  Sacrament  is 
full  of  instruction.)  justly  says,  '•  There  is  no  kind  of 
meat  that  is  comfortable  to  the  soul,  but  only  the  death 
of  Christ's  blessed  body ;  nor  any  kind  of  drink  that 
can  quench  its  thirst,  but  only  the  blood  shedding  of 
our  Saviour  Christ."  Let  us  then,  when  we  receive 
the  Lord's  Supper,  spiritually  feed  on  Christ  as  our  all- 
sufficient  and  all-satisfying  Saviour. 

It  is  not  one  act  of  faiih  only  that  marks  the  Christian. 
The  just  shall  live  hy  faith.  When  we  dwell  on  what 
Christ  lias  done  for  us,  and  look  to  him  for  grace  and 
strength,  we  receive  continued  supplies  of  spiritual 
food.  Worldly  things  weaken  our  spiritual  strength, 
and  deaden  our  devout  affections.  Satan  tempts  us, 
and  a  corrupt  heart  leads  us  astray.  In  the  midst  of 
these  dangers,  it  is  only  in  proportion  as  we  constantly 
come  to  Christ,  and  receive  out  of  his  fulness  grace  for 
grace,  that  we  are  strong  and  vigorous  in  the  Christian 
life.  Just  as  the  body  lives  by  receiving  food  from 
day  to  day,  and  thereby  increases  and  grows  from  in- 
fancy to  manhood,  so  the  soul  lives  by  this  faith  in 
Christ,  and  goes  from  strength  to  strength  till  we  come 
to  a  perfect  man. 

The  Scriptures  speak  very  strongh^  of  the  bless- 
ings connected  with  this  faith  in  Christ.  They  are 
stated  in  the  6th  chapter  of  John  in  many  varied  ex- 
pressions. Without  this  faith  we  have  no  spiritual 
life  ;  through  faith  we  have  union  with  Christ,  sup- 
port, strength,  consolation,  and  eternal  bliss.  The 
O O 


o 


O- -Q 

44  ON  FAITH  IN  Christ's  atonement. 

promise  of  eternal  life  may  well  be  peculiarly  cheer- 
ing and  animating  to  us.  Observe  how  solemnly  our 
Lord  declares,  (ver.  47.)  Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto 
you,  he  that  believeth  on  me  hath  everlasting  life.  Who 
can  calculate  the  magnitude  of  this  blessing?  All 
the  glories  of  this  world  fade  before  it.  To  be  happy, 
and  that  forever  !  What  heart  can  imagine  all  that  is 
comprehended  in  everlasting  life  ?  Look  only  at  one 
point  in  the  promise,  (ver.  54.)  I  loill  raise  him  up  at 
the  last  day.  Place  only  the  resurrection  before  your 
eyes.  The  last  trump  is  sounded — the  heavens  pass 
away  with  a  great  noise — the  Lord  himself  descends. 
In  this  tremendous  day,  amid  the  wreck  of  worlds,  who 
shall  stand  when  he  appeareth  ?  It  is  the  Judge  of 
all  mankind,  and  who  shall  abide  the  day  of  his  coming  ? 
Whom  will  he  raise  up  and  place  in  safety  ?  See 
above,  the  mansion  of  bright  and  eternal  glory !  Be- 
hold, below,  the  dreary  and  horrible  abode  of  never- 
ending  woe  !  O  Christian  reader,  in  the  day  of  the 
resurrection,  what  a  blessing  beyond  all  description 
will  it  be  to  belong  to  Christ,  and  to  have  his  promises 
engaged  to  raise  you  up  to  life  and  glory!  Well, 
whosoever  believeth  in  him  shall  not  perish,  but  have  ever- 
lasting life.  You  may  safely  build  for  eternity  on  his 
faithfulness.  He  has  all  power  and  might  to  fulfil  his 
promises,  all  truth  and  willingness  to  perform  them. 
O  look  unto  Jesus,  and  be  ye  saved. 

We  may  hitherto  in  this  chapter  appear  to  have  de- 
parted from  the  direct  subject  of  the  Lord's  Supper, 
but  what  has  been  said  will  tend  to  explain  that  feed- 
ing on  Christ  by  faith,  which  is  at  once  enjoined  and 
signified  by  this  ordinance.  Though  our  Lord's  dis- 
course in  the  6th  of  John  has  not  a  primary  reference 
to  his  last  supper,  yet  that  institution  points  out  the 


-O 


o — o 

ON  FAITH  IN  Christ's  atonement.  45 

same  actings  of  faith  which  are  illustrated  by  the  in- 
struction in  that  remarkable  passage.  Both  the  literal 
and  spiritual  feeding  are  happily  expressed  together 
in  the  address  to  the  communicant,  "  Take  and  eat 
this,  in  remembrance  that  Christ  died  for  thee,  and 
feed  on  him  in  thy  heart  by  faith  with  thanksgiving." 
Archbishop  Cranmer  very  plainly  and  strikingly  ex- 
presses the  same  ideas — "■  The  true  eating  and  drink- 
ing of  the  body  and  blood  of  Christ  is,  with  a  constant 
and  lively  faith  to  believe  that  he  gave  his  body  and 
shed  his  blood  on  the  cross  for  us,  and  that  he  does  so 
join  and  incorporate  himself  to  us,  that  he  is  our  head 
and  we  his  members,  and  flesh  of  his  flesh,  and  bone 
of  his  bone,  having  him  dwelling  in  us,  and  we  in  him. 
And  herein  stands  the  whole  effect  and  strength  of  this 
sacrament.  And  this  faith  God  works  inwardly  in 
our  hearts  by  his  Holy  Spirit,  and  confirms  the  same 
outwardly  to  our  ears,  by  the  hearing  of  his  word,  and 
to  our  other  senses,  by  the  eating  and  drinking  of  the 
sacramental  bread  and  wine  in  his  holy  supper. 

Let  it  be  your  desire,  then.  Christian  reader,  when 
you  receive  the  outward  emblems  of  his  body  and 
blood,  by  the  grace  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  through 
faith,  afresh  to  receive  Christ  himself  as  your  only  and 
your  complete  Saviour.  Augustine  denies  that  men 
can  carry  away  from  this  sacrament  any  more  than 
they  can  collect  in  the  vessel  of  faith.  Indeed,  it  is 
only  as  faith  is  in  exercise,  and  as  you  are  really  look- 
ing to  Christ,  by  and  through  the  outward  elements, 
that  this  institution  will  be  of  profit  to  you.  It  loses  its 
whole  design  as  to  your  individual  good,  if  you  are  not 
depending  by  faith  on  the  atonement  of  Christ,  and  ap- 
plying  afresh  for  an  interest  in  his  great  salvation. 
Besides,  the  Lord's  Supper  shows  us  how  the  death  of 


-O 


O _ . 0 

46  ON  FAITH  IN  Christ's  atonement. 

Christ  is  applied  to  our  benefit.  As  the  bread  and 
wine  represent  the  body  and  blood  of  our  Saviour,  so 
the  eating  and  drinking  those  elements  point  out  that 
act  of  faith  by  which  we  apply  to  our  own  benefit  the 
merits  of  his  death.  Whenever,  then,  you  go  to  this 
holy  table,  lift  up  the  eye  of  faith  to  the  crucified  Re- 
deemer, dying  for  your  sins,  come  with  your  burden  to 
him,  and  so  shall  you  find  rest  unto  your  souls. 


o— o 


-o 


CHAPTER  IV. 


ON    THE    NEW    COVENANT. 


In  appointing  the  Holy  Communion,  we  have  seen, 
our  Lord  calls  the  cup  the  New  Testament  in  his  blood. 
We  purpose  in  this  chapter  to  explain  the  meaning  of 
this  expression,  and  briefly  to  state  the  nature  of  that 
dispensation,  which  was  secured  to  us  through  the 
atoning  sacrifice  of  Christ. 

The  term,  which  is  here  rendered  Testament,  is  a 
translation  of  the  Hebrew  word  n^^'liS,  which  is  com- 
monly rendered  Covenant.*     We  do  not  find  that  the 

*  There  have  been  considerable  differences  of  opinion  res- 
pecting the  meaning  of  the  Hebrew  word  n^^Ss  and  the  Greek 
word  SiaOnKT),  usually  translated  covenant.  The  author  thinks 
that  his  readers  will  be  interested  in  an  abstract  of  some  of  the 
principal  authorities  which  have  fallen  in  his  way. 

On  the  Hebrew  word  tT^")!,  Simon,  in  his  Hebrew  Lexicon, 
gives  us  the  term  Covenant  as  the  general  meaning;  and  then, 
referring  to  the  annexed  passages,  he  says  it  denotes  metony- 
mically,  ix  promise,  (Numb,  xviii.  19;  2  Sam.  xxiii.  5;)  a  con- 
stitution or  statute;  (Jer.  xxxiii.  20.)  and  a. precept,  (Jer.  xxxiv. 
15 ;)  because  these  are  wont  to  be  joined  to  covenants ;  the  De- 
calogue, (Numb.  X.  33.  Deut.  iv.  13;  ix.  9-11 ;)  and  the  sign 
of  the  Covenant.    Gen.  xvii.  13. 

In  Leigh's  Critica  Sacra,  it  is  noticed,  that  it  signifies  any  dis- 
position, institution,  or  declaration  of  will,  council,  or  promise, 
or  any  thing  of  that  kind,  whether  that  disposition  be  entered 
into  by  one,  or  by  many ;  whether  by  the  pure  engagement  of 
one,  or  mutual  agreement  and  re-stipulation  between  parties. 

On  the  Greek  word  SiadnKri,  Grotius  remarks,  that  it  was 


G 


■o 


48 


ON    THE    NEW  COVENANT. 


Hebrew  word  is  ever  used  in  the  sense  of  a  last  will, 
and  it  is  doubtful  whether  the  Greek  word  be  used  in 
that  signification  in  the  New  Testament. 

A  Covenant  is  an  agreement  on  certain  terms,  and 
supposes  two  or  more  parties.     But  when  God  is  one 

adopted  in  the  Septuagint  version  of  the  Old  Testament,  as  it 
was  found  that  the  original  Hebrew  word  was  of  a  more  exten- 
sive signification  than  the  Greek  word  awBriKrj,  their  usual  word 
for  covenant.     See  Poli  Synopsis,  vol.  iv.  p.  ii. 

Junius  says,  "  It  signifies  neither  a  Testament,  nor  a  Cove- 
nant, nor  an  Agreement ;  but  as  the  import  of  the  word  simply 
requires,  a  disposition,  or  institution  of  God." 

Schleusner  gives  the  general  interpretation  to  be  a  disposi- 
tion; and  with  reference  to  the  passage  in  the  institution  of 
the  Lord's  Supper,  gives  it  the  sense  of  "  a  constitution,  law,  or 
form  of  religion,  or,  as  it  is  commonly  called,  a  Divine  (Econ- 
omy, from  the  manner  of  speaking  among  the  Jews,  who  were 
wont  to  call  the  Mosaic  religion  tl'^'^^,  the  likeness  being  taken 
from  the  covenants,  which  men  are  wont  to  enter  into  between 
themselves." 

On  the  use  of  both  words.  Dr.  Gill  in  his  body  of  Divinity, 
says. — I.  It  is  sometimes  used  for  an  ordinance,  precept,  and 
command.  Numb,  xviii.  19.  Jer.  xxxiv.  13,  14.  Deut.  iv.  13. 
2.  A  covenant,  when  ascribed  to  God,  is  nothing  more  than  a 
mere  promise.  Isa.  lix.  21.  Ephes.  ii.  12.  3.  We  often  read  of 
the  covenants  of  Gud  only  on  one  side.  Jer.  xxxiii.  20.  Gen.  viii. 
22.  Gen.  ix.  9-17.  Hosea  ii.  18.  4.  A  covenant  properly  made 
between  man  and  man,  is  by  stipulation  and  re-stipulation,  in 
which  they  make  mutual  promises,  or  conditions,  to  be  per- 
formed by  them.  Gen.  xiv.  13.  xxvi.  28 ;  1  Sam.  xx.  15,  10, 
42 ;  xxiii.  18. 

Brown  of  Haddington  also  says,  "  Both  words  may  in  general 
be  rendered  an  establishment,  and  this  signification  will 
answer  in  every  place  where  the  words  are  found." 

The  importance  of  having  a  just  view  of  the  term,  will  be 
seen  when  it  is  remembered  that  it  occurs  above  two  hundred 
times  in  the  Scriptures.  It  will  be  obvious  that  it  has  often  a 
much  larger  signification  than  a  mere  agreement  between  two 
parties  with  mutual  conditions. 


•o 


o o 

ON   THE    NEW  COVENANT.  49 

party  to  that  which  is  rendered  covenant,  it  must  be 
considered  as  meaning  rather  a  Dispensation,  declar- 
ing his  mercy  and  goodness  towards  his  sinful  crea- 
tures, than  a  mere  agreement.  Isaiah  lix.  21.  Heb. 
viii.  8-13.  By  a  dispensation,  we  mean  that  plan  of 
procedure,  on  which  God  acts  towards  those  who  live 
under  it,  or,  as  it  is  more  briefly  defined  by  Dr.  John- 
son, "the  dealing  of  God  with  his  creatures."  This 
general  meaning  of  the  term  rendered  Covenant, 
seems  best  to  convey  its  sense  in  the  passage  immedi- 
ately under  our  consideration.  The  term  is  used  to 
denote  the  two  chief  systems  of  religion  noticed  in  the 
Bible,  the  Jewish  and  the  Christian.  The  nature  and 
design  of  both  these  are  fully  declared  in  the  Holy 
Scriptures  ;  but  as  our  Lord  directly  connects  the 
celebration  of  the  Lord's  Supper  with  the  new  dispen- 
sation, it  will  be  proper  here  to  give  a  farther  account 
of  it. 

It  is  CALLED  NEW  WITH    REFERENCE   TO  THE  JEWISH 

DISPENSATION,  not  having  been  fully  manifested  nor 
fully  established  as  the  only  religion  of  men,  till  after 
the  promulgation  and  lengthened  continuance  of  that 
preparatory  religion  which  was  given  by  Moses. 

It  is  true  that  the  plan  of  this  rich  dispensation  of 
grace  and  mercy,  for  the  salvation  of  sinful  man,  was 
laid  before  the  world  began.  St.  Paul  assures  Timo- 
thy that  God  hath  saved  21s,  and  called  us  with  an  holy 
calling,  not  according  to  our  works,  hut  according  to  his 
Dion  purpose  and  grace,  which  was  given  us  in  Christ 
Jesus  before  the  world  began.  2  Tim.  i.  9.  Those  who 
obtain  its  blessings  are  also  described  by  St.  Paul,  as 
chosen  in  Christ  before  the  foundation  of  the  world,  that 
they  should  be  holy  and  tvithout  blame  before  him  in  love. 
Eph.  i.  4.  Here  we  see  all  the  parties  in  this  cove- 
O- O 


o o 

50  ON    THE    NEW  COVENANT. 

nant  brousht  to  our  view  at  once.  God,  the  source 
of  all  blessings — men,  who  were  to  be  the  objects  of 
his  grace — and  Christ,  the  mediator  of  the  covenant, 
in  whom  all  the  subjects  were  chosen,  and  by  whom 
they  would  ultimately  be  brought  to  eternal  glory. 

It  is  true  also  that  it  was  in  part  manifested  to 
man,  from  time  to  time,  before  the  Christian  era, — 
fi]'st,  in  the  promise,  The  seed  of  the  woman  shall 
bruise  the  head  of  the  serpent.  Gen.  iii.  15.  After  this, 
as  the  Apostle  tells  us,  To  Abraham  and  his  seed  were 
the  promises  made;  and  thus,  as^  he  assures  us,  the 
covenant  was  confirmed  before,  (that  is,  before  the  law 
of  Moses)  of  God  in  Christ.  Gal.  iii.  16,  17.  The 
Mosaic  dispensation  was,  in  various  respects,  a  figure, 
shadow,  or  representation  of  the  new  covenant,  by  its 
tabernacle,  sacrifices,  &c.  As  we  proceed  in  reading 
the  sacred  volume,  the  promises  and  prophecies  gradu- 
ally unfold  it  with  increasing  clearness  to  our  view. 
Though  David's  expression  at  the  close  of  his  life, 
may  possibly  have  a  more  direct  application  to  the 
covenant  made  with  him  personally,  as  to  the  throne 
of  Israel,  yet  therein  the  promise  of  Christ  was  in- 
cluded, and  the  words  are  very  descriptive  of  the 
blessings  of  this  better  covenant.  He  hath  made  loith 
me  an  everlasting  covenant,  ordered  in  all  things  and 
sure — for  this  is  alt  my  salvation,  and  all  my  desire, 
(2  Sam.  xxiii.  5.)  as  is  that  expression.  The  secret  of 
the  Lord  is  with  them  that  fear  him,  and  he  will  show 
them  his  covenant.  Psalm  xxv.  14.  Several  of  the 
Psalms,  as  xvi.  xl.  Ixxxix.  and  ex.  clearly  show  that 
the  holy  men  of  old  entertained,  in  the  progress  of 
time,  ideas,  and  used  expressions,  too  large  for  the 
Jewish  dispensation,  and  applicable  only  to  a  different 
order  of  things.  Isaiah,  almost  with  the  clearness  of 
O — O 


O ( 

ON    THE    NEW  COVENANT.  51 

the  apostolical  writers,  brings  before  us  that  redemp- 
tion on  which  the  dispensation  of  grace  is  founded. 

But  notwithstanding  this  previous  discovery  of  it, 
which  doubtless  eno;ao;ed  the  faith,  and  raised  the 
liope  of  the  servants  of  God,  from  the  beginning,  it  is 
still  justly  styled  7iew,  as  it  was  only  fully  revealed 
after  the  coming  of  Christ.  It  is  displayed  to  us  in 
that  volume,  which  is  emphatically  called  the  New 
Testament,  or  Covenant.  Christ,  as  the  Lamb  of  God, 
verily  ivas  fore-ordained  before  the  foundation  of  the 
world,  but  was  manifested  in  these  last  times  for  you, 
who  by  him  do  believe  in  God.  1  Pet.  i.  20. 

It  was  also  only  fully  established  by  the  death  of 
Christ.  Solemn  promises  and  engagements  were  of 
old  established  and  ratified,  by  blood-shedding  and 
sacrifices.  Gen.  xv.  '8-18.  Hence  the  Psalmist 
speaks  of  the  covenant  made  with  God  by  sacrifice. 
Psalm  Iv.  5.  Thus  the  death  of  Christ  was  the  sacri- 
fice that  perfected  the  new  dispensation. 

And  it  was  yet  farther  illustrated  and  confirmed  by 
the  resurrection  and  ascension  of  Christ.  Thus  not 
only  was  it  proved  that  his  death  was  accepted  as  an 
atonement  for  sin,  and  that  the  divine  justice  was 
satisfied,  but  he  was  raised  up  from  the  dead,  and  as- 
cended into  heaven,  to  receive  those  blessings  which 
he  had  purchased  for  sinful  men,  to  bestow  those  bless- 
ings on  them  that  believe  in  his  name,  and  thus  to 
carry  on  the  work  of  salvation  by  supplying  them,  ac- 
cording to  their  individual  necessities,  with  grace  to 
help  in  time  of  need,  and  by  filling  them  at  proper  sea- 
sons, with  joy  and  peace  in  believing  through  the 
power  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

Hence,  as  compared  with  the  covenant  made  with 
Israel,   on  their  coming  out  of  Egypt,  and  as   fully 

O Q 


O 0 

52  ON    THE    NEW    COVENANT. 

manifested,  completed,  and  established  by  the  death, 
and  confirmed  by  the  resurrection  of  Christ,  as  having 
new  worship,  new  ordinances,  and  new  sacraments,  it 
is  called  the  new  covenant.  The  former  dispensation 
is  no  longer  necessary,  and  the  gospel  is  become  the 
statute  law  of  the  whole  church  of  God. 

Having  thus  seen  in  what  respect  it  is  a  new  cove- 
nant, we  will  next  view  it  in  contrast  with  the  old 
COVENANT.  The  Scriptures  frequently  illustrate  this 
subject,  by  contrasting  or  comparing  one  with  the 
other.*  The  Jewish  was  a  religion  for  a  particular 
nation:  (Deut.  iv.  31-34;  vii.  6.)  the  Christian  was 
designed  for  all  nations;  (1  John  ii.  2.  1  Tim.  ii.  4- 
6.)  the  Jewish  was  temporary  ;  (Heb.  viii.  7-13.)  the 
Christian  is  permanent  ;  (Heb.  xii.  27,  28.)  the  Jew- 
ish had  conditions  to  be  performed  on  the  ground  of 
obtaining  its  blessings  ;  (Exod.  xix.  5-8.)  the  Chris- 
tian promises  those  very  conditions  as  blessings  which 
will  be  freely  bestowed.  Jer.  xxxi.  31-34 ;  Ezek. 
xxxvi.  27.  ;  Rom.  iii.  24  ;  Eph.  ii.  8,  9.  In  the  first 
covenant,  the  law  was  written  on  tables  of  stone  ;  but 
the  second  provides  for  its  being  written  on  the  fleshly 
tables  of  the  heart,  2  Cor.  iii.  3.  The  mediator, 
priesthood,  and  sacrifices  of  the  two  covenants,  are 
contrasted  in  the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews,  to  show  the 
superior  advantages  of  the  latter  dispensation. 

The  old  covenant,  as  considered  apart  from  the  dis- 
coveries and  promises  which  it  contains  of  the  new, 
was  a  ministration  of  death  and  condemnation,  (2  Cor. 
iii.  7-9.)  pronounced  a  curse  on  all  who  did  not  obey 
it  perfectly,  (Deut.  xxvii.  15-26.)  and  in  some  cases, 
inflicted  the  penalty  of  death,  without  mercy  on  trans- 

*  See  the  Epistles  to  the  Hebrews  and  the  Galatians,  passim. 
John  i.  10,  17  ;  2  Cor.  iii.  3-18,  &c. 

o— — o 


o o 

ON    THE    NEW   COVENANT.  53 

gressors,  Heb.  x.  28.  The  Apostle  calls  it  a  yoke 
upon  the  neck  of  the  disciples^  which  neither  our  fathers 
nor  we  were  able  to  bear,  Acts  xv.  10.  As  a  ministra- 
tion of  death  and  condemnation,  it  gives  those  who 
were  never  under  it  a  very  striking  illustration  of  the 
sad  state  of  all  sinners.  Those  who  sinned  not  against 
the  light  of  the  Jewish  Dispensation,  were  yet  under 
sin,  Romans  iii.  9.  They  sinned  against  the  light 
which  they  had,  (Romans  ii.  12-15.)  and  God  having 
not  left  himself  without  witness,  (Acts  xiv.  17.)  they 
were  without  excuse,  Rom.  i.  20.  But  the  law  entered 
that  the  offence  might  abound,  Rom.  v.  20.  It  discovered 
and  detected  yet  more  strongly  the  universal  and  deep 
corruption,  sinfulness,  and  ruin  of  man.  The  soul  that 
sinneth,  it  shall  die  :  but  all  have  sinned.  Hence  all, 
whether  under  the  Jewish  law  or  not,  are  guilty, 
(Romans  iii.  19.)  under  a  sentence  o^  death,  (Rom.  vi. 
23.)  and  condemned  before  God,  John  iii.  18. 

In  this  state  the  new  covenant  finds  all  men ;  and 
it  is  a  ministration  of  righteousness,  as  by  it  condemned 
sinners  are  taught  the  way  of  obtaining  righteousness, 
through  faith  in  him  who  has  atoned  for  our  sins, 
and  fulfilled  that  law  which  we  had  broken.  It  is 
also  the  ministration  of  the  Spirit,  as  while  it  is  the 
only  doctrine  through  which  life  and  salvation  are 
communicated  to  sinners,  a  much  larger  measure  of 
the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost  is  communicated,  and  to  a 
much  wider  extent,  under  the  administration  of  the 
new  covenant,  than  ever  was  under  the  old,  John  xvi. 
7  ;  Acts  ii. 

The  old  covenant  conveyed  many  intimations  of  the 
Gospel ;  but  it  was  in  types  and  shadows,  or  by  pro- 
phecies and  promises  ;  it  imparted  but  the  beginnings 
of  that  salvation  which  was  to  be  afterwards  more 

) o 

5* 


o o 

54  ON    THE    NEW   COVENANT. 

largely  bestowed.  But  the  new  covenant  both  gives 
the  substance  of  the  emblems,  and  accomplishes  the 
predictions  and  promises.  John  i.  17. 

The  old  was.  however,  in  the  various  points  which 
had  been  noticed,  and  viewed  in  all  its  parts,  a  beau- 
tiful and  glorious  preparatory  dispensation,  introduc- 
tory to  that  which  was  to  be  a  blessing  to  the  whole 
world,  and  wonderfully  adapted,  in  its  whole  system,  to 
make  ready  the  minds  of  men  to  welcome  the  Gospel. 
The  Law  was  our  schoolmaster  to  hring  us  to  Christ. 

But  zf  that  which  was  done  away  was  glorious,  how 
much  more  that  which  remaineth  is  glorious.  What 
cause  have  we  to  thank  God,  that  we  live  under  the 
light  and  blessings  of  the  most  clear  and  perfect 
dispensation  which  he  has  ever  vouchsafed  to  his 
Church !  May  it  have  to  be  said  of  us,  We  all,  with 
open  face,  beholding,  as  in  a  glass,  the  glory  of  the 
Lord,  are  changed  into  the  same  image  from  glory  to 
glory  ! 

The  above  contrast  will  enable  us  the  more  readily 
to  understand  the  nature  of  the  new  covenant.  It 
will  be  sufficient  to  mention  some  of  its  leadingr  fea- 
tures.  Fully  to  explain  it,  would  be  to  transcribe  a 
great  part  of  the  sacred  volume. 

Dr.  Watts  gives  this  description  of  the  Divine 
Dispensations  in  general.  "  The  Public  Dispensa- 
tions of  God  towards  men  are  those  wise  and  holy  con- 
stitutions of  his  will  and  government  revealed,  or 
some  way  manifested  to  them,  in  the  several  succes- 
sive periods,  or  ages  of  the  world,  wherein  are  con- 
tained the  duties  which  he  expects  from  men,  and  the 
blessings  which  he  promises,  or  encourages  them  to 
expect  from  him,  here  or  hereafter  ;  together  with  the 
sins  which  he  forbids,  and  the  punishments  which  he 

.— _ o 


o — -o 

ON    THE   NEW   COVENANT.  55 

threatens  to  inflict  on  such  sinners."  We  purpose 
here  to  confine  ourselves  to  a  brief  view  of  the  pecu- 
liarities of  the  Christian  Dispensation. 

It  discovers  to  us  God  as  a  reconciled  father. 
Col.  i.  20,  21.  We  were  enemies  in  our  minds  by 
wicked  works.  Man  dislikes  the  service  of  that  pure 
and  holy  God  in  whom  he  ought  to  delight,  and  daily 
offends  him.  He  was  therefore  an  object  of  God's  just 
wrath,  and  if  left  to  himself  he  must  have  perished 
forever.  Here,  then,  is  manifested  the  boundless  com- 
passion and  tender  love  of  God.  John  iii.  16  ;  1 
John  iv.  10 ;  Rom.  v.  8.  The  reconciliation  begins 
in  his  own  infinite  grace,  displayed  in  redemption  by 
Jesus  Christ.  God  was  in  Christ,  reconciling  the  world 
unto  himself,  not  imputing  their  trespasses  unto  them,  and 
hath  committed  unto  his  ministers  the  word  of  reconcilia- 
tion.    2  Cor.  V.  19. 

The  new  covenant  is  administered  by  a  mediator. 
A  Mediator  is  one  who  goes  between  parties   at  vari- 
ance.     Man,  being  a  sinner,  and  so  at  enmity  with 
God,  the   plan  of  grace  Avhich  God   devised,  required 
the  interposition  of  a  Mediator  to  carry  it  into  effect. 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  is  the  Mediator  of  a  letter  cove- 
nant, which  was  established  upon  better  promises  than 
the  law  of  Moses.      When  we   were  enemies  we  were 
reconciled  to  God  by  the  death  of  his  Son.     But  besides 
obtaining  the  blessings  of  this  covenant,  he,  as  Media- 
tor, dispenses  them  to  us.     Great  as  they  are,   and 
freely  as  they  are  now  bestowed,  if  their  communica- 
tion were  to  depend  on  the  will  and  endeavours  of 
fallen   man,  we    should   never  receive  them.      The 
whole  administration  of  the  Gospel  dispensation  is  in 
his  hands.     Jesus  Christ  is  exalted  to  be  a  prince  and  a 
Saviour,  to  give  repentance,  and  remission  of  sins.     He 

o ^ 


o — — o 

56  ON    THE   NEW  COVENANT. 

sends  the  ministers  of  the  new  covenant,  (2  Cor.  iii.  6.) 
to  gather  men  into  his  church ;  he  makes  his  people 
willing  ill  the  day  of  his  power.  Psalm  ex.  3.  He. 
of  his  own  grace  and  love,  when  they  were  dead  in 
sins,  quickens  them  by  his  Holy  Spirit,  and  purifies 
unto  himself  a  peculiar  people  zealous  of  good  works. 

Tile  administration  of  this  dispensation  is  carried  on 
in  the  hearts  of  men,  by  the  secret  and  gracious  influ- 
ence of  the  HOLY  GHOST,  who  is  sent  by  Jesus  Christ 
to  convince  and  comfort,  guide  and  govern,  illuminate 
and  instruct,  preserve  and  sanctify  his  people,  while 
they  sojourn  here  below,  and  thus  prepares  them  for 
his  eternal  kingdom  of  glory  above.  Hence  the  gift 
of  the  Spirit  is  peculiarly  promised,  and  much  more 
largely  dispensed  under  this  covenant ;  and  it  shall 
come  to  pass  in  the  last  days,  saith  God,  I  will  pour  out 
of  my  Spirit  upon  allfiesh. 

The  new  covenant  declares  a  way  of  salvation, 
the  only  way  of  salvation,  and  a  salvation  includ- 
ing deliverance  from  the  guilt  and  power  of  sin, 
and  the  gift  of  eternal  life.  All  are  freely  bestowed. 
By  grace  are  ye  saved,  through  faith,  and  that  not  of 
yourselves,  it  is  the  gift  of  God,  not  of  works ;  lest  any 
man  sliould  boast.  For  we  are  his  workmanship,  created 
in  Christ  Jesus  unto  good  works,  which  God  hath  before 
ordained  that  toe  should  walk  in  them.  Eph.  ii.  8-10. 
Does  any  distressed  and  anxious  mind  inquire.  What 
must  I  do  to  he  saved  ?  The  answer  in  the  new  cove- 
nant is  plain  and  express — Believe  on  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  and  thou  shalt  be  saved.  Acts  xvi.  31.  This 
remarkably  distinguishes  it  from  the  old  covenant. 
The  tenor  of  that  was.  The  man  that  doeth  these  things 
shall  live  by  them.  The  tenor  of  the  new  is,  With  the 
heart  man  believeth  unto  righteousness,  and  with  the 

O — o 


&     — -  -  ' ■ o 

ON    THE   NEW  COVENANT.  57 

moutJi  confession  is  made  unto  salvation.  Romans 
X.  5-9/ 

The  new  covenant  has  two  leading  ordinances, 
also  distinguishing  it  from  the  old-^Baptism,  and  the 
Lord's  Supper.  Baptism  is  the  appointed  ordinance 
for  our  introduction  into  the  visible  church,  and  the 
Lord's  Supper  manifests  our  continuance  therein. 

It  is  UNIVERSAL  in  the  proposal  of  its  blessings. 
Nothing  can  be  more  free,  general,  and  unlimited  than 
its  invitations.  This  is  a  point  of  the  utmost  import- 
ance to  the  comfort  and  hope  of  the  burdened  and 
afflicted  conscience,  and  the  passages  showing  this  are 
delightfully  clear  and  express.  Ho,  every  one  that 
thirsteth,  come  ye  to  the  waters ;  and  lie  that  hath  no 
money,  come  ye,  buy,  and  eat;  yea,  come,  huy  ivine  and 
milk  without  money  and  without  price.  Isaiah  Iv.  1. 
Jesus  stood  and  cried.  If  any  man  thirst,  let  him  come 
unto  me  and  drink.  John  vii.  37.  Whosoever  will,  let 
him  take  of  the  water  of  life  freely.  Rev.  xxii.  17.  O 
Christian  reader,  let  nothing  tempt  you  to  refuse  so 
free  and  gracious  an  invitation. 

Affain,  it  contains  promises  exactlv  suited  to  all 
our  wants.  See  Jer.  xxxi.  31-34  ;  Heb.  viii.  8-12. 
There  are  the  blessings  of  redemption  for  the  captive, 
pardon  for  the  sinful,  justification  for  the  guilty,  puri- 
fication for  the  polluted,  strength  for  the  weak,  wis- 
dom  for  the  ignorant,  and  help  for  the  helpless.  It 
proposes,  in  short,  a  full  remedy  for  all  our  evils. 
The  Scriptures  are  the  records  of  its  benefits.  Let 
us  search  them  diligently,  that  we  may  have  as  full  a 
knowledfje  as  we  can  of  all  it  contains  for  our  use. 
The  richest  promise  is,  indeed,  eternal  life.  For  this 
is  the  record,  that  God  hath  given  to  us  eternal  life,  and 
this  Ufe  is  in  his  Son  ;  he  that  hath  the  Son  hath  life, 
O » — ^O 


0 __ — o 

58  ON    THE    NEW   COVENANT. 

and  he  that  hath  not  the  Son  hath  not  life.  Nor  are 
these  uncertain  promises ;  they  are  all  Yea  and  Amen, 
in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord. 

The  CHIEF  BLESSING  of  the  New  Covenant  is  its 
securing  to  us  an  entrance  into  the  everlasting  kingdom 
of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  (2  Pet.  i.  11.) 
This  is  the  inheritance  of  the  saints  in  light,  Col.  i.  12, 
13 ;  this  is  the  kingdom  prepared  for  them  from  the 
foundation  of  the  world,  ^vhicll  they  inherit  when  our 
Lord  comes  in  his  glory,  (Matt,  xxv.) 

The  new  covenant,  therefore,  gives  the  believer 
great  security.  It  is  well  ordered  in  all  things  and 
sure,  2  Sam.  xxiii.  5.  While  it  eminently  tends,  by 
the  way  in  which  its  blessings  are  bestowed,  to  mani- 
fest the  divine  glory,  and  yet  to  promote  the  happi- 
ness of  man ;  it  also  most  efTectually  provides  for 
obedience  to  the  holy  law  of  God.  What  God,  as  a 
righteous  Governor,  justly  demands  from  us  as  his 
creatures,  he  now,  according  to  the  beneficent  tenor 
of  the  new  covenant,  bestows  as  a  gracious  Benefac- 
tor. Is,  for  instance,  obedience  to  his  laws  his  com- 
mand as  our  God,  and  our  duty  as  his  creatures  ?  he 
promises  in  the  dispensation  of  grace,  to  write  his  laws 
in  our  hearts,  Heb.  viii.  10.  Is  repentance  equally 
required  from  us  as  sinful  creatures  ?  he  grants  re- 
pentance unto  life.  Acts  xi.  18.  Is  faith  in  his  Son 
requisite  for  our  salvation?  unto  us  it  is  given  to  be- 
lieve in  his  name,  Phil.  i.  29.  Thus  it  is  well-ordered, 
as  it  guards  against  the  weakness  and  corruption  of 
our  nature,  which  would  otherwise  prevent  our  obtain- 
ing its  blessings.  The  happiness  of  Adam  in  Para- 
dise, depending  on  the  fidelity  of  the  creature,  failed  ; 
the  national  blessings  granted  to  Israel,  through  their 
disobedience,  were  forfeited ;  but  in  the  better  cove- 

o_ o 


O — , 

ON    TPIE    NEW   COVENANT.  59 

nant,  the  fidelity  of  God  is  concerned,  and  he  en- 
gages to  work  in  us  all  that  he  requires  of  us.  He 
promises  not  only  not  to  depart  from  us,  but  that  we 
shall  not  depart  from  him.  I  will  make  an  everlasting 
covenant  ivith  them,  that  I  will  not  turn  away  from  them 
to  do  them  good,  hut  I  loill  put  my  fear  into  their  heart, 
that  they  shall  not  depart  from  me.  Jer.  xxxii.  40  ;  see 
also  Isaiah  liv.  9,  10,  17.  True  it  is,  that  many  who 
have  had  right  notions  of  religion,  and  have  made  a 
fair  profession,  do  afterwards  make  shipioreck  of  faith  ; 
and  this  should  guard  us  against  presumption  and 
self-confidence,  and  make  us  watchful  and  humble ; 
but  the  Apostle  assures  on  this  head,  they  went  out  from 
us,  hut  they  ivere  Jiot  of  us,  for  if  they  had  been  of  us, 
theyioould  no  douht  have  continued  with  us,  1  John  ii. 
19.*     True  it  is,  the  sincere  servant  of  God  may  fall 

*  The  author  would  confirm  his  own  sentiments  by  the  fol- 
lowing extract  from  Bishop  Jewell's  Exposition  to  the  Thessa- 
lonians,  fob  ed.  1611,  p.  143,  on    2  Thess.  ii.  13. 

"  God  hath  chosen  you  from  the  baginning :  his  election  is 
sure  for  ever.  The  Lord  knoweth  who  are  his.  You  shall  not 
be  deceived  with  the  power  and  subtilty  of  Antichrist.  You 
shall  not  fall  from  grace,  you  shall  not  perish.  This  is  the  com- 
fort which  abideth  with  the  faithful,  when  they  behold  the  fall 
of  the  wicked.  When  they  see  them  forsake  the  truth,  and  de- 
light in  fables;  when  they  see  them  return  to  their  vomit,  and 
wallow  again  in  the  mire;  when  we  see  these  things  in  others, 
we  must  say,  Alas  !  they  are  examples  for  me,  and  they  are 
lamentable  examples.  Let  him  that  standeth,  take  heed  that 
he  fall  not.  But  God  hath  loved  me,  and  hath  chosen  me  to 
salvation.  His  mercy  shall  go  before  me,  and  his  mercy  shall 
follow  in  me.  His  mercy  shall  guide  my  feet,  and  stay  me 
from  falling.  If  I  stay  by  myself,  I  stay  by  nothing.  I  must 
needs  come  to  the  ground.  Although  all  the  world  should  be 
drowned  with  the  waves  of  ungodliness,  yet  will  I  hold  by  the 
boat  of  his  mercy,  which  shall  safely  preserve  me.  If  all  the 
world  be  set  on  fire  with  the  flame  of  wickedness,  yet  will  I 

G — — 0 


'Q 


60 


ON    THE    NEW    COVENANT. 


into  sin,  in  which  case  his  transgressions  will  be  pun- 
ished with  fatherly  chastisements ;  yet  the  promise 
even  in  this  case  is,  Nevertheless,  my  loving  kindness  will 
I  not  utterly  take  from  him,  nor  suffer  my  faithfulness  to 
fail ;  my  covenant  ivill  I  not  break,  nor  alter  the  thing 
that  is  gone  out  of  my  lips,  Psalm  Ixxxix.  30-34. 

Who  that  knows  and  believes  such  gracious  decla- 
rations, can  help  admiring  the  infinite  goodness  and 
condescension  of  God,  entering  into  such  promises 
and  eno;a2;ements  with  his  weak  and  sinful  creatures ! 
What  heart  but  must  be  touched  and  melted  with 
such  wonderful  love  ?  O  how  can  we  hate  sin 
enough,  and  love  our  God  enough,  after  all  that  he 
hath  done  for  us  ! 

The  New  Covenant  eminently  displays  the  glory 
of  DIVINE  GRACE.  The  great  end  to  which  it  tends,  is 
the  praise  of  the  glory  of  his  grace :  for  this  end  vile 
and  miserable  sinners  are  chosen  and  called,  justified 
and  adopted,  sanctified  and  glorified.  Their  whole 
salvation  is  of  grace.  Christ  is  a  free  gift ;  the  Holy 
Spirit  is  a  free  gift ;  eternal  life  is  a  free  gift.  The 
dispositions,  such  as  repentance,  faith,  and  holiness,  to 
which  pardon  and  eternal  life  are  promised,  are  free 
gifts.  From  the  foundation  of  the  spiritual  building, 
Christ  Jesus,  to  the  top-stone,  we  must  say,   Grace, 

creep  into  the  bosom  of  the  protection  of  my  Lord,  so  shall  no 
flame  hurt  me.  He  hath  loved  me,  he  hath  chosen  me,  he  will 
keep  me.  Neither  the  example  nor  the  company  of  others,  nor 
the  enticing  of  the  Devil,  nor  mine  own  sensual  imaginations, 
nor  sword,  nor  fire,  is  able  to  separate  me  from  the  love  of  God 
which  is  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord.  This  is  the  comfort  of  the 
faithful;  so  shall  they  wash  their  hands  in  the  blood  of  the 
Lamb."  He  then  shows  how  this  security  is  seen  and  felt 
"  through  sanctification  of  the  Spirit  and  faith  of  the  truth. 
These  are  the  tokens  of  God's  election." 


o- 


•o 


Q ■ 0 

ON    THE    NEW   COVENANT.  61 

grace  unto  it !  And  that  this  may  be  the  more  illus- 
triously manifested,  even  the  very  chief  of  sinners 
have  been  chosen,  and  even  the  very  best  of  saints 
have,  after  conversion,  fallen  into  most  grievous  sins, 
and  been  recovered  ao-ain  from  their  backslidinsf.  O 
how  illustrious  is  that  grace  which  selects  from  a 
ruined  race,  pardons,  purifies,  and,  finally,  for  ever 
blesses  a  fallen,  wretched,  polluted  creature,  and  gives 
to  him  holiness  here,  and  eternal  life  hereafter!  The 
17th  Article  of  our  Church,  which  contains  the  genu- 
ine doctrine,  not  only  of  our  own  Church,  but  of  the 
whole  body  of  the  Reformers,  and  of  the  pure  Church 
of  Christ  va.  all  preceding  ages,  states  this  subject 
most  scripturally,  devotional ly,  and  practically.  The 
doctrine  of  our  free  salvation  is  indeed  to  the  awaken- 
ed and  enlightened  mind  both  humbling  and  consola- 
toryj  both  holy  and  encouraging,  filling  the  heart  of 
man  with  love  to  God,  and  yet  for  ever  shutting  out 
all  boasting,  and  giving  all  glory  to  his  name,  to 
whom  alone  all  glory  is  for  ever  due. 

Such  is  the  blessed  nature    and  character   of  the 
new   covenant.      We   have  farther  to   consider   our 

DUTY  WITH  REFERENCE  TO  THIS  GRACIOUS  DISPENSA- 
TION ;  so  that  we  may  become  interested  in  it,  and 
partakers  of  its  blessings.  Every  believer  in  Christ 
has  a  personal  interest  in  the  new  covenant.  We 
gain  an  interest  in  its  blessings,  when  we  seek  them 
in  the  way  of  God's  appointment.  It  is  the  divine  in- 
vitation. Incline  your  ear  and  come  unto  me;  hear,  and 
your  soul  shall  live,  and  I  will  make  an  everlasting  cove- 
nant ivith  you,  even  the  sure  mercies  of  David — Seek  ye 
the  Lord  lohile  he  may  he  found,  call  ye  vpon  him  while 
he  is  near,  Isaiah  Iv.  3-7.  Our  duty  then  plainly  is, 
earnestly  to  seek,  and  gratefully  and  believingly  to 

o o 


o 


-0 


62 


ON    THE    NEW    COVENANT. 


accept  the  offered  salvation,  to  observe  its  ordinances, 
and  to  adorn  in  all  things  the  doctrine  of  God  our  Sa- 
viour. If  we  are  truly  convinced  of  our  lost  condi- 
tion, and  of  our  sinful  character;  if  we  are  truly 
desirous  of  such  a  salvation  as  that  which  is  exhibited 
to  us  in  the  Gospel,  God  will  freely  grant  to  us  the 
blessings  of  his  grace,  when  we  seek  them  in  the 
name  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  in  a  humble  reliance  on  his 
atonement.  The  great  Mediator  will  then  plead  our 
cause,  and  obtain  for  us  whatever  is  needful  for  pre- 
sent or  future  happiness.  The  Father  hath  committed 
all  things  into  the  hands  of  Christ,  (Matt,  xxviii.  18 ; 
John  V.  22  ;  Eph.  i.  22.)  and  when  v/e  come  to  him, 
and  entrust  our  souls  wholly  to  him,  (2  Tim.  i.  12.) 
he  gives  us  the  blessings  of  this  covenant,  even  as  if 
it  had  been  made  solely  and  individually  for  us. 

Surely  we  ought  to  give  the  more  earnest  heed  to  the 
things  which  we  have  heard,  lest  at  any  lime  we  should 
let  them  slip.  For  how  shall  we  escape ^  if  we  neglect  so 
great  salvation  ?  It  is  evidently  just  and  right  that 
those  who  refuse  to  receive  and  submit  to  so  fjracious 
a  dispensation,  should  not  have  its  blessings ;  that 
those  who  reject  the  remedy,  should  remain  under  the 
disease.  We  live  now  under  the  full  establishment 
of  the  new  covenant,  whether  we  accept  it  or  not ; 
but  we  are  not  partakers  of  its  blessings,  unless  we 
are  seeking  for  salvation,  as  guilty  and  helpless  sin- 
ners, through  Jesus  Christ.  Nay,  if  we  reject  and 
persevere  in  our  rejection  of  this  only  way  of  salva- 
tion, we  shall  perish  with  aggravated  guilt,  and  in  a 
more  tremendous  ruin  than  those  who  never  heard  the 
grace  of  God. 

Thus  has  God  so  ordered  it,  that  none  shall  inherit 
eternal  life,  but  in  the  way  of  repentance,  faith,  and 


o- 


-o 


0 "  -  ■  ■  '    --  -  -     -    '   o 

ON    THE    NEW  COVENANT.  63 

holiness ;  and  yet  none  shall  boast  or  glory  in  his 
siglit.  The  future  blessedness  is  so  proposed  and 
promised,  that  none  can  on  safe  grounds  hope  that 
they  individually  have  an  interest  in  it,  but  as  they 
are  partakers  of  these  previous  graces ;  and  yet, 
these  being  his  gifts,  we  are  in  all  respects  saved  by 
grace.  The  interest  of  holiness,  the  glory  of  God, 
and  the  happiness  of  man,  are  all  effectually  secured. 
Faith,  repentance,  and  obedience,  have  often  been 
considered  as  conditions  of  our  salvation.  This  is 
true,  if  it  be  only  meant  that  they  ever  accompany 
our  obtaining  eternal  life.  But  the  author  avoids  that 
mode  of  expression,  it  being  apt  to  suggest  ideas  to 
the  minds  of  the  more  ignorant,  as  if  there  were  a 
real  and  proper  merit  in  our  works  with  reference  to 
God  :  something  to  be  done  on  our  part,  on  the  ground 
of  which  we  might  expect  something  to  be  done  on 
God's  part ;  or  as  if  there  were  pow^er  in  man  of 
himself,  unassisted  by  divine  grace,  to  do  that  which 
is  pleasing  to  God ;  both  of  which  ideas  are  carefully 
to  be  guarded  against,  as  directly  opposing  the  plan 
of  the  Gospel.  Conditions  thus  required,  tend  also  to 
puff  up,  or  to  depress  unduly ;  to  damp  the  freedom 
of  a  loving  heart,  and  to  make  our  service  one  of 
constraint  and  fear,  rather  than  of  voluntary  and  glad 
obedience.  Are  not  the  advantages  of  the  term  con- 
dition gained  by  representing  good  works  as  necessary 
evidences  of  a  state  of  safety  and  grace,  as  things 
that  accompany  salvation?    (Heb.  vi.  9,  10,)*    or,  ac- 

*  Those  who  have  supposed  that  the  new  covenant,  as  a 
covenant,  necessarily  implies  conditions,  do  not  seem  to  have 
duly  considered  the  full  signification  and  extended  meaning  of 
the  original  term,  nor  its  use  in  places  where  no  conditions  are 
either  named  or  supposabld.  Gen.  ix.  9-17;  Isai.  liv.  9,  10; 
o O 


0- 


-0 


64 


ON    THE    NEW  COVENANT. 


cording  to  the  scriptural  expression,  as  the  fruits  of 
the  Spirit  ?  All  those  very  things  which  can  be  called 
conditions,  are,  in  truth,  part  of  the  blessings  promised 
in  Christ,  and  freely  bestowed  through  him. 

Great  comfort  may  be  derived  from  this  dis- 
pensation. It  is  a  satisfactory  ground  of  hope  for 
every  good.  That  God  should,  before  time  began, 
have  planned  and  fixed  such  a  scheme  of  grace,  and 
given  his  Son  to  effect  it,  and  that  it  should  have  been 
ratified  by  such  an  amazing  sacrifice,  may  well  fill 
us  with  the  most  cheering  hopes.  If  a  man  have  a 
real  knowledge  of  the  holy  character  of  God,  he  can- 
not but  see  that  he  is  himself  justly  condemned  and 
exposed  to  eternal  ruin.  To  such  a  one,  the  way  of 
salvation,  by  the  only  Redeemer,  will  be  unspeakably 
precious.  He  will  readily  see  and  acknowledge  that 
he  can  only  be  saved  by  a  dispensation  of  free  and 
sovereign  grace  and  mercy.     Here,  and  here  only,  is 

Jer.  xxxi.  31-34;  xxxii.  37-41;  Ezek.  xvi.  60-63;  Heb.  viii. 
8-12.     See  also  Isa.  Iv.  3;  Luke  i.  72-75. 

The  view  above  taken,  does  not  by  any  means  lessen  our  ob- 
ligations to  obedience.  Our  duties  are  as  binding  on  us,  as 
creatures  of  God,  as  if  we  had  full  power  of  ourselves  to  dis- 
charge them.  Our  helplessness  and  proneness  to  evil  is  the 
consequence  of  sin,  and  therefore  a  fault  and  not  a  release  from 
obedience.  Nor  let  any  man  suppose  that  he  may  be  negligent 
or  careless;  or  must  sit  still  and  do  nothing,  till  there  be  some 
extraordinary  divine  influence  on  his  mind.  The  Apostle  takes 
quite  a  different  view,  when  he  says.  Work  out  your  own  sal- 
vation tuith  fear  and  trembling,  for  it  is  God  that  worketh 
in  you  both  to  vnll  and  to  do  of  his  good  pleasure.  But  if  it 
be  asked,  how  we  come  to  work  at  all,  the  Apostle  shows  us, 
It  is  not  of  him  that  willeth,  nor  of  him  that  rvnnith  ;  but 
of  God  that  showeth  mercy.  And  in  another  place,  he  says,  1 
laboured  more  abundantly  than  they  all,  he  immediately  adds, 
yet  not  I,  but  the  grace  of  God  which  was  with  me. 


■o 


) o 

ON    THE    NEW  COVENANT.  65 

a  sufficient  foundation  for  all  our  hopes.  Let  us  say, 
then,  with  David,  this  is  all  my  salvation.  2  Sam.  xxiii. 
5.  The  expression  is  peculiarly  strong — all  my  sal- 
vation. Many  are  disposed  to  trust  partly  in  their 
works  and  partly  in  Christ ;  but  let  them  learn  to 
depend  simply,  and  exclusively,  and  entirely  on  the 
only  Saviour,  and  to  feel  that  without  him,  they  are 
wholly  lost  and  undone  ;  and  in  him,  and  with  him, 
for  ever  blessed. 

It  is  also  an  abundant  source  of  most  lively  joy. 
In  the  world  Christians  have  tribulation.  Besides  the 
ordinary  sorrows  and  distresses  of  life,  and  besides 
the  afflictions  of  our  families  and  connections ;  the 
prevalence  of  sinful  propensities,  and  the  weakness 
of  our  faith,  hope,  and  love,  form  a  peculiar  grief  and 
burden  to  us  as  Christians :  but  notwithstanding  all 
the  heavy  and'  distressing  trials  and  afflictions,  to 
which  we  may  be  exposed,  the  dispensation  of  mercy 
in  Christ  Jesus  may  still  fill  us  with  joy  unspeakable 
and  full  of  glory.  Observe  the  glowing  terms  by 
which  it  is  introduced  to  us. — How  beautiful  upon  the 
mountains  are  the  feet  of  him  that  bringeth  good  tidings, 
that  publisheth  peace,  that  bringeth  good  tidings  of  good, 
that  publisheth  salvation  ;  that  sa'th  unto  Zion,  Thy  God 
reignethf  If  God,  the  Sovereign  Lord  of  all,  be  our 
friend,  our  joy,  and  our  strength,  if  he  be  engaged  to 
bless  us,  and  we  are  hoping  to  be  with  him  for  ever, 
how  can  we  sorrow  as  those  who  have  no  hope  ?  The 
most  important  earthly  events  become  insignificant 
and  trifling,  when  we  come  to  the  borders  of  the 
grave.  Then  we  need  something  solid  and  enduring 
to  give  us  real  satisfaction.  We  must  have  the  word 
of  God  in  our  favour,  and  an  interest  in  the  covenant 
and  promises  of  God  to  give  us  true  joy.     That  can 

o o 

6* 


66  ON    THE    NEW  COVENANT. 

give  joy,  the  highest  joy,  even  in  the  prospect  of 
death,  judgment,  and  eternity.  It  has  been  the  expe- 
rience of  thousands,  and  tens  of  thousands ;  and  O 
that  it  may  be  the  experience  of  the  writer,  and  of 
every  reader  of  these  pages,  that  with  Jesus  as  our 
Shepherd,  we  may  pass  through  the  valley  of  the  sha- 
dow of  death,  and  fear  no  evil.  What  can  so  effectu- 
ally remove  the  sting  of  death  as  to  survey  this  new 
covenant,  in  all  its  fulness  and  certainty,  as  engaging 
God  himself  to  pardon,  justify,  and  save  those  that 
trust  in  him  ?  While  we  can  never  boast  in  our- 
selves, nor  our  own  doings,  and  can  derive  no  hope 
from  ourselves,  we  may  yet,  from  this  glorious  dispen- 
sation, derive  full  and  complete  peace  and  joy.  It 
shows  us  that  we  are  complete  in  Christ  Jesus,  and 
that  through  his  grace  we  may  hope  soon  to  be  in 
that  blessed  region,  where  neither  our  own  sins,  nor 
the  sins  of  others,  shall  any  longer  harass  or  distress 
us.  In  the  prospect  of  this  happy  state  of  enjoyment, 
may  we  forget  every  sorrow,  and  may  our  hearts 
overflow  with  the  most  exalted  joy. 

It  now  only  remains  that  we  state  why  our  Lord 
calls  the  cup  in  the  Lord's  Supper,  the  New  Testa- 
ment in  his  blood.  He  calls  it  so,  not  only  as  it  is  the 
emblem  of  that  blood,  which,  as  a  sacrifice  for  our 
sins,  obtained  all  the  blessings  of  this  new  dispensa- 
tion ;  but  also  as  that  dispensation  was  sanctioned  by 
the  blood  of  him  who  is  Lord  of  all,  ratified  by  the 
death  of  him,  who  was  hi  the  beginning  with  God, 
and  was  God.  The  old  dispensation  was,  as  we  have 
seen,  (chap,  i.)  ratified  by  the  blood  of  animals  ;  but 
the  greater  magnitude,  importance,  and  permanence 
of  the  Christian  dispensation,  may  be  discerned  by 
the  immensely  greater  value  of  the  sacrifice   which 

o o 


O o 

ON    THE    NEW   COVENANT.  67 

ratifies  it.  Where  is  a  greater  sacrifice  to  be  found 
than  that  commemorated  in  the  Lord's  Supper!  If 
Moses  could  refer  Israel  to  the  blood  of  animals,  and 
say,  Behold  the  blood  of  the  covenaiit  ?  how  much  more 
may  Jesus  call  our  attention  to  the  figure  of  his  own 
blood,  and  say,  This  is  my  hlood  of  the  neio  covenant  ; 
this  is  the  new  covenant  in  jmj  Hood  f  Our  Lord,  in 
referring  to  the  new  covenant  on  this  occasion,  inti- 
mates, too,  the  speedy  abrogation  of  the  old  ;  so  that 
we  may  adopt  the  words  of  the  apostle  in  reference  to 
the  expressions  of  Jeremiah,  Jn  that  he  saith,  a  new 
covenant,  he  hath  made  the  first  old  ;  now  that  which  de- 
cay eth  and  waxeth  old,  is  ready  to  vanish  away.  Our 
Lord,  also,  in  mentioning  his  blood  in  connection  whh 
this  new  covenant,  points  out  to  our  special  attention 
that  blood  as  the  only  ransom  price  of  our  redemption, 
the  only  meritorious  cause  of  our  salvation,  and  the 
perfect  ratification  of  every  blessing  of  the  Gospel. 
He  seems,  too,  to  intimate,  that  while  he  thus  obtained 
an  infinitely  gracious  dispensation,  it  was  an  adequate 
motive  for  every  suffering,  and  a  compensation  for  all 
his  woe.  He  saw  of  the  travail  of  his  soul,  and  was 
satisfied.  Whenever,  therefore,  we  receive  the  Lord's 
Supper,  we  are  visibly  and  sensibly  taught  and  re- 
minded, what  a  gracious  plan  of  salvation  there  is, 
how  it  was  obtained  for  us,  and  ratified  to  us  ;  and  we 
are  called  by  fresh  acts  of  faith  in  Christ,  to  claim  a 
renewed  interest  in  it. 


O O 


-G 


O- 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE  DESIGN  OF  THE  LORD'S  SUPPER. 

The  words  of  Scripture  have  hitherto  been  our 
guide  in  the  statement  of  the  doctrines  connected  with 
the  Lord's  Supper,  and  they  furnish  us  with  ample 
information  as  to  its  main  design.*     We  have  seen 

*  This  may  be  a  suitable  place  to  give  a  brief  explanation  of 
the  NAMES  applied  to  this  institution. 

Sacrament  is  a  name  given  to  it  in  common  with  Baptism. 
It  is  not  a  scriptural  name,  and  it  has  been  variously  explain- 
ed. Some  derive  it  from  "  Sacramentum  Militare,"  the  mili- 
tory  oath  of  fidelity  among  the  Romans,  and  so  consider  it  as 
representing  our  solemn  dedication  of  ourselves  to  be  faithful 
soldiers  of  Christ.  Others,  from  the  circumstance  of  the  most 
ancient  translators  of  the  Bible  into  Latin,  usually  rendering 
liv<TTr,oinv,  mystery,  by  the  v^^ord,  "  Sacramentum,"  think  that  it 
was  adopted,  in  the  early  ages  of  the  church,  as  an  appropriate 
name  for  those  ordinances  in  which  there  is  a  deep  and  hidden 
meaning  veiled  under  a  sign  or  figure.  Augustine  considers 
the  \vox6.  Sacrament  as  equivalent  to  a  holy  sign.  He  says, 
(see  City  of  God,  Book  x.  Chap,  v.)  "  an  external  offering  is  a 
visible  sacrament  of  an  invisible  sacrifice,  that  is,  a  holy  sign." 
This  is  probably  the  true  definition.  The  Church  of  England 
explains  the  meaning  to  be,  "  an  outward  and  visible  sign  of 
an  inward  and  spiritual  grace,  given  unto  us,  ordained  by 
Christ  himself,  as  a  means  whereby  we  receive  the  same,  and 
a  pledge  to  assure  us  thereof:"  thus  bringing  it  before  us  as  a 
d.vinely  appointed  means  of  grace,  whereby  we  receive  an  in- 
crease of  grace,  and  a  token  of  divine  favour. 

The  BREAKING  OF  BREAD  seems  to  have  been  the  first  and 
the  scriptural  name  of  this  institution,  taken  from  the  princi- 


o 


o- 


■o 


THE    DESIGN    OF   THE    LORD's  SUPPER. 


60 


thai  the  words  of  the  apppointment  decidedly  express 
the  doctrine  of  our  Saviour's   atonement,  and  point 

pal  outward  action  of  this  ordinance.  See  Acts  ii.  42,  46;  xx.  7. 

The  term  communion  was  doubtless  derived  from  St.  Paul's 
account  of  this  ordinance.  1  Cor.  x.  16.  It  is  descriptive  of 
the  fellowship  which  we  then  have  with  Christ,  and  with  our 
Christian  brethren. 

The  Lord's  Supper  is  (as  is  generally  supposed)  a  name 
given  to  this  institution  by  the  apostle.  1  Cor.  xi.  20.  Being 
appointed  by  our  Lord  immediately  after  his  last  supper,  and 
for  his  own  more  direct  honour,  it  is  so  called  with  great  pro- 
priety. It  has  the  authority  of  Christ  for  its  observance,  and 
it  brings  before  us  the  atonem.ent  of  Christ  as  the  chief  nourish- 
ment of  our  souls.  Some  have  supposed  that  the  apostle  al- 
luded to  the  ancient  love  feasts,  or  to  them  and  the  communion, 
under  the  term  Lord's  Supper ;  but  this  is  not  very  likely. 

Eucharist,  that  is,  thanksgiving.  This  is  one  of  the  most 
ancient  names  given  to  the  Lord's  Supper,  apparently  from  the 
circumstance  of  our  Lord  giving  thanks  at  the  time  of  its  insti- 
tution. Chrysostom,  in  a  Homily  on  the  8th  of  Matthew,  says, 
^'  The  dreadful  mysteries,  full  of  salvation,  which  we  celebrate, 
in  every  assembly,  are  called  the  Eucharist,  because  they  are 
a  commemoration  of  many  benefits,  and  show  forth  the  princi- 
pal price  of  divine  providence,  and  dispose  us  always  to  give 
him  thanks." 

Oblation,  sacrifice,  and  memorial,  were  names  ancient- 
•ly  given  to  this  institution,  not  in  the  Romish  sense,  as  has  been 
fully  proved  by  Prostestant  writers,  but  as  being  a  spiritual  sa- 
crifice of  prayer  and  praise,  or  as  representing  the  great  sacri- 
fice on  the  cross. 

It  is  often  called  the  Christian  feast  ;  perhaps  in  allusion 
to  1  Cor.  v.  8.  The  soul  of  the  believer  has  that  satisfaction, 
refreshment,  and  nourishment  in  the  atonement  of  Christ,  here 
exhibited,  which  the  hungry  person  has  in  his  food.  Some  have 
considered  it  as  similar  in  its  nature  to  the  ancient  feasts  upon 
a  sacrifice ;  and  that  as  they  were  of  old  accustomed  to  partake 
of  the  victim  in  order  to  gain  the  benefit  of  the  sacrifice,  so  we 
partake  of  the  emblems  of  our  great  sacrifice,  to  show  our  hope 
in  him ;  but  on  this,  see  Note,  chapter  i. 

It  is  sometimes  called  the  seal  of  the  covenant;  but 


G 


-O 


G -0 

70  THE    DESIGN    OF 

out  the  ratification  of  the  new  covenant  in  his  blood. 
The  design  of  this  institution,  as  it  respects  our  prac- 
tical conduct,  will  be  more  evident  from  the  consider- 
ation of  the  expression  of  our  Lord,  this  do  in  remem- 
brance of  me  ;  and  that  of  his  apostle, — as  often  as  ye 
eat  this  bread,  and  drink  this  cup,  ye  do  show  forth  the 
Lord's  death  till  he  come. 

The  cross  of  Christ  is  the  glory  of  the  Christian 
religion.  It  is  the  bright  centre  in  which  all  the  rays 
of  spiritual  light  unite,  and  from  which  they  proceed. 
It  is  so  stupendous  a  fact  in  itself,  that  the  Creator  of 
all  worlds,  the  great  Jehovah,  in  the  person  of  his 
Son,  should  take  our  nature  upon  him  to  expiate  the 
guilt  of  our  sins,  that  it  may  well  have  our  constant 
meditation.  Such  tremendous  sufferings,  and  such 
never-ending  sorrows,  are  averted  by  the  completion 
of  this  grand  system ;  and  such  incalculable,  bound- 
less,  and  eternal  joys,  are  obtained  by  this  sacrifice 
of  himself,  that  we  shall,  through  eternity,  regard 
with  unspeakable  joy  this  wonderful  grace  of  God  in 
Christ  Jesus. 

The  Lord's  Supper  is  a  solemn  ordinance,  designed 
for  a  perpetual  exhibition  and  commemoration  of  the 
atoning  sacrifice  of  the  death  of  Christ.  It  is  a  rep- 
resentation to  the  outward  senses  of  this  great  truth, 

this  is  not  a  scriptural,  and  it  does  not  appear  to  the  author  that 
it  is  a  proper  epithet.  The  idea  is  taken  from  Abraham's  cir- 
cumcision being  a  seal  of  the  righteousness  of  the  faith  which 
he  had  yet  being  uncircumcised  ;  (Rom.  iv.  11.)  but  this  by  no 
means  implies  that  the  Lord's  Supper  may  Justly  be  called  a 
seal  of  the  covenant.  In  fact  an  unsealed  covenant  is  of  no  va- 
lidity. The  new  covenant  was  ratified  and  confirmed  by  the 
blood  of  Christ.  As  far  as  it  relates  to  the  confirmation  of  our 
own  faith,  it  may  be  said,  as  Calvin  remarks,  to  be  renewed,  or 
rather  continued,  whenever  that  sacred  cup  is  presented  to  us. 

o o 


9 -0 

THE    lord's    supper.  71 

that  the  only  Son  of  God  became  man,  and  died  for 
our  sins.  It  teaches  us  by  signs  and  emblems,  those 
doctrines  which  the  preaching  of  the  gospel  brings 
before  us  expresssly  in  words.  Herein  Christ  offers 
himself  to  us  with  all  his  benefits,  and  we  receive  him 
by  faith. 

Its  great  design  is  to  represent,  or  place  before  us, 
to  commemorate,  and  to  show  forth  the  death  of  Christ 
as  a  sacrifice  for  sin,  and  to  declare  our  expectation 
of  his  coming  again. 

It  is  A  REPRESENTATION,  OR  PLACING  BEFORE  US,  OF 
THE    lord's    DEATH,  AS   A  SACRIFICE  FOR  SIN.       This  We 

have  already  shown  in  former  chapters — but  let  us 
dwell  more  particularly  on  the  design  of  this  repre- 
sentation. 

Dr.  Owen,  in  his  treatise  on  the  Lord's  Supper, 
says  in  substance  as  follows. 

"  This  sacrament  is  a  more  special  and  particular 
representation  and  setting  forth  of  Christ  as  our  Re- 
deemer,  than  either  the  written  or  preached  word. 
God  has  appointed  him  to  be  evidently  crucijied  lefore 
our  eyes,  that  every  poor  soul  that  is  stung  with  sin, 
and  ready  to  die  by  sin,  should  look  up  to  him  and 
be  healed.  John  iii.  14,  15  ;  Isaiah  liii.  5.  Let  faith 
represent  Christ  to  our  souls  as  here  exhibited  of  God 
and  given  unto  us,  as  tendered  to  us,  and  received  by 
us,  and  incorporated  with  us.  Let  us  not  rest  in  the 
outward  elements  and  the  visible  sign.  Christ  in  his 
love;  Christ  in  his  blood-shedding,  agony,  and  prayer; 
Christ  in  his  death,  is  here  proposed  before  us,  even 
by  him  who  has  appointed  the  institution.  It  is  a 
way  of  proposal  full  of  tenderness  and  love.  To 
every  communicant  there  is,  by  the  grace  and  faith- 
fulness of  God,  and  through  his  ministers,  a  tender  o^ 

o o 


o- 


-o 


72 


THE    DESIGN    OF 


Jesus  Christ  in  his  death  and  all  its  benefits.  The 
main  question  is,  whether  you  will  stir  up  your  hearts 
to  a  new  and  fresh  receiving  of  Jesus  Christ,  who  is 
thus  proposed  and  tendered  to  you  by  the  love  of  your 
Heavenly  Father." 

This  is  a  very  refreshing  view  of  the  Lord's  Sup- 
per. The  promises  and  proposals  which  Almighty 
God  makes  to  you  by  his  word  are  more  general,  afid 
have  not  that  sensible  and  particular  application  to 
the  individual,  which  is  made  by  this  affecting  and 
tender  mode  of  proposing  the  blessings  of  the  Gospel. 
When  the  minister  says  to  you  individually,  Take, 
eat,  and  gives  you  individually  the  bread  and  the 
wine,  how  delightful  is  the  thought  that  the  blessings 
of  salvation  by  Jesus  Christ  are  graciously  tendered 
to  you !  O  let  us  stir  up  our  hearts  gladly  to  receive 
them  ! 

The  Lord's  Supper  is  designed  to  commemorate 
Christ  crucified.*  To  commemorate  is  to  preserve 
the  memory  of  any  thing  by  some  public  act.  We 
find  that  God  frequently  appointed  memorials  of  past 
transactions  of  magnitude,  to  declare  to  future  gene- 
rations his  glorious  works.  Thus  circumcision  was 
appointed  as  a  memorial  of  the  covenant  with  Abra- 
ham ;  the  stones  taken  out  of  Jordan  were  appointed 
as  a  memorial  of  Israel's  passing  across  that  river  on 
dry  land ;  the  passover,  (in  addition  to  its  typical  de- 
sign,) was  appointed  as  a  memorial,  a   perpetually- 

*  The  word  avaiivrjati,  used  by  our  Lord,  conveys  the  ideas 
of  commemoration  and  memorial,  as  well  as  remembrance.  It 
may  be  noticed  as  a  marked  distinction  between  the  two  cove- 
nants, that  under  the  law  of  Moses  their  was  a  commemoration 
of  sins.  Heb.  x.  3. — While  under  the  Gospel  there  is  a  com- 
memoration of  a  Saviour  from  sin. 


o- 


\ 


0 

THE  lord's  supper.  73 

repeated  memorial,  of  the  deliverance  of  the  Jews 
from  Egypt.  We  should,  if  left  to  ourselves,  soon 
forget  our  beneficent  Deliverer,  and  the  pride  of  our 
hearts  is  ever  tending  to  lead  us  to  rely  on  ourselves, 
rather  than  simply  rest  on  his  promises  of  salvation  ; 
and  hence  the  need  of  this  memorial.  The  connec- 
tion of  the  precept  in  which  we  are  required  to  do 
this  iji  remembrance  of  Christ,  shows  that  we  are  call- 
ed on  chiefly  to  remember  his  death  and  sufferings. 
Let  us  not  remember  them  transiently  and  slightly, 
but  deeply,  seriously,  and  constantly.  Let  us  recol- 
lect at  the  same  time  his  original  dignity  and  glory, 
his  wonderful  humiliation  and  abasement,  his  extreme 
sufferings,  and  painful  death,  his  resurrection,  ascen- 
sion, and  consequent  glory. 

We  may  at  all  times  with  advantage  remember 
Jesus  Christ  as  a  martyr,  witnessing  a  good  confes- 
sion before  Pontius  Pilate,  (1  Tim.  vi.  13,)  and  seal- 
ing it  with  his  blood — ^as  an  example  of  suffering 
obedience  even  unto  death,  (1  Peter  ii.  21,)  as  a 
conqueror,  even  in  death  triumphing  over  all  his 
enemies ;  but  it  is  particularly  as  a  sacrifice  for  sin, 
that  we  should  regard  his  death  when  we  surround 
his  table. 

Let  not  your  minds  be  turned  from  this  one  point, 
but  remember  that  Jesus  Christ  died  for  your  sins, 
and  keep  in  view  the  benefits  thereby  procured  for 
you.  It  was  remarked  by  a  much- valued  friend,  (the 
late  Rev.  W.  Richardson,  of  York,)  that  many  sincere 
worshippers  deprive  themselves  of  much  of  that  com- 
fort and  strength  which  they  might  have  received  at 
the  Lord's  table,  by  not  having  a  single  eye  to  the 
great  object  designed  by  that  ordinance.  Instead  of 
keeping  their  minds  steadily  fixed  upon  Jesus  Christ, 

o o 


O ( 

74  THE   DESIGN    OF 

as  the  Lamb  that  was  slain,  and  dwelling  on  his  sacri- 
fice, and  the  efficacy  of  his  blood,  they  have  by  turns 
meditated  on  a  variety  of  other  religious  truths. 
They  have  endeavoured,  for  instance,  to  take  a  com- 
prehensive view  of  the  offices  of  Christ,  and  the 
various  doctrines  of  his  Gospel.  This,  though  not  so 
common  a  digression  as  vain  and  worldly  thoughts, 
and  not  in  itself  a  blameable  one,  may  yet  prevent 
our  deriving  that  special  benefit  to  be  looked  for  in 
this  sacrament,  "  the  strengthening  and  refreshing  of 
our  souls  by  the  body  and  blood  of  Christ,"  if  it  lead 
us  from  fixing  our  main  thoughts  on  his  death  for  our 
sins.  Those  who  wish  to  be  comforted  by  this  ordi- 
nance, should  determine,  while  engaged  in  it,  to  know 
nothing,  and  to  think  of  nothing  comparatively,  save 
Jesus  Christ  and  him  crucified,  and  what  is  directly 
connected  with  that  cheering  and  leading  truth  of  the 
Gospel.  It  is  here  taken  for  granted  that  such  know 
the  evil  of  sin,  wish  earnestly  to  be  healed  of  their 
spiritual  maladies,  and  stedfastly  purpose  to  lead  a 
new  life,  for  no  other  guests  are  invited  to  the  Lord's 
table.  But,  on  this  supposition,  no  sense  of  unworthi- 
ness,  none  of  the  suspicions  inseparable  from  conscious 
guilt,  no  respect  to  other  religious  doctrines,  or  topics, 
which  in  their  season  ought  to  engage  our  attention, 
should  draw  away  our  main  thoughts  from  this  capi- 
tal truth  of  the  Gospel.  Nor  shall  we,  if  thus  steadily 
and  singly  looking  to  the  dying  Saviour,  depart  from 
his  table  without  some  degree  of  strength  and  refresh- 
ment. It  has  been  well  observed,  "  There  are  sea- 
sons in  the  Christian's  life  in  which  the  name  of  Jesus 
comes  to  his  heart  like  a  live  coal  from  the  altar, 
and   brings  with  it  a  warmth,  a   feeling,  and  a  joy, 

O O 


, — — . — 0 

THE  lord's  supper.  75 

which  angels  might  come  down  from  heaven  to 
share."* 

While  the  Lord's  Supper  commemorates,  it  also 
shows  forth  the  death  of  Christ.   1  Cor.  xi.  26. 

There  is  a  precept  respecting  the  observance  of 
the  passover  which  will  illustrate  this  subject.  It 
shall  come  to  pass,  when  your  children  shall  say  unto 
you,  What  mean  you  by  this  service  ?  that  ye  shall  say, 
It  is  the  Lord's  passover,  who  passed  over  the  houses  of 
the  children  of  Israel  in  Egypt,  when  he  smote  the 
Egyptians  and  delivered  our  houses.  Exodus  xii.  26, 
27.  Similar  to  this  is  the  showing,  the  declaring, 
and  openly  publishing  the  Lord's  death  at  his  table. 

But  what  do  you  show  forth  or  declare  ?  We  de- 
clare the  FACT  OF  HIS  DEATH.  It  has  been  observed, 
that  when  a  fact  is  such  that  men's  outward  senses 
can  judge  of  it ;  when  it  is  performed  publicly  in  the 
presence  of  witnesses  ;  when  there  are  public  institu- 
tions kept  up  in  memory  of  it;  and  such  institutions 
commence,  and  are  established  at  the  time  when  the 
fact  took  place,  it  becomes  a  decisive  and  incontro- 
vertible evidence  of  the  truth  of  the  fact.  It  is  im- 
possible that  such  an  event  did  not  take  place.  In 
this  view,  then,  the  continual  commemoration  of  the 
death  of  Christ  is,  from  age  to  age,  a  plain,  manifest, 
and  satisfactory  evidence  of  his  death  to  all  mankind, 
and  that  death  a  sacrifice  for  sin.  It  is  a  standing 
proof  of  that  great  fact  which  is  the  foundation  of 
all  our  hopes. 

We  declare  the  manner  of  his  death.  That 
though  perfectly  innocent,  and  the  only-begotten  and 
the  beloved  Son  of  God,  his  bodily  and  mental  suffer- 


*  See  Bradlev's  Sermons. 


■o 


o- 


'0 


76 


THE   DESIGN   OF 


ings  were  most  painful  and  severe.  The  breaking  of 
the  bread  declares  his  body  broken — the  pouring  out 
of  the  wine  his  blood  shed.  And  in  how  many  ways 
was  that  body  broken  !  Mark  his  anguish  and  passion 
in  Gethsemane  ;  his  being  smitten,  spitted  on,  mocked, 
and  buffetted  in  the  hall  of  judgment !  His  enemies 
put  a  crown  of  thorns  on  his  head,  and  they  smite 
them  into  his  temples.  After  they  have  scourged 
him,  the  devoted  victim  is  compelled  to  bear  his  own 
cross,  till  he  sinks  under  the  load.  At  length  the 
iron  nails  were  driven  through  the  tender  nerves,  and 
he  was  suspended  on  the  accursed  tree.*  Every  part 
of  his  holy  body  was  bruised  and  wounded.  After 
lingering  several  hours  in  this  agony,  and  receiving 
gall    and  vinegar  in  derision,  he  expired,    amid   the 

*  Crucifixion  was  a  most  painful  and  ignominious  mode  of  ex- 
ecuting criminals.  It  was  a  Roman  punishment,  and  only  in- 
flicted on  slaves.  The  cross  was  made  of  two  beams  placed 
across,  sometimes  nearly  in  the  form  of  a  T,  and  sometimes  in 
that  of  an  X.  Our  Saviour's  cross  is  said  to  have  been  of  the 
former  kind.  This  mode  of  death,  as  it  was  in  the  highest  de- 
gree excruciating,  so  it  was  generally  very  lingering.  First, 
the  criminal  was  severely  scourged.  Next,  he  bore  his  cross, 
or  part  of  it,  to  the  place  of  execution.  When  he  came  thither, 
his  clothes  were  entirely  stripped  off,  and  either  before  or  after 
the  cross  was  erected,  his  hands  were  sometimes  bound,  but 
ordinarily  nailed  to  the  cross  beam,  and  his  feet  to  the  lower 
part.  Large  nails,  rude  and  cruel  instruments  of  torture,  were 
thus  forcibly  driven  through  the  most  sensitive  parts  of  the 
body;  and  as  they  sustained  part,  if  not  the  whole  weight  of 
the  body,  the  pain  must  have  been  peculiarly  exquisite.  Thus 
the  criminal  hung,  till  hunger,  thirst,  and  acute  pain,  dismiss- 
ed him  from  intolerable  suffering.  Thus,  Christian  reader,  for 
our  redemption,  naked,  despised,  agonising  with  pain,  and  ex- 
posed to  the  most  cruel  mockings,  hung  for  several  hours  the 
innocent  and  holy  Jesus,  the  Creator  and  the  Saviour  of  the 
world ! 


o- 


o 


o 


-o 


THE    LORD  S  SUPPER. 


77 


bitter  taunts  and  revilings  of  those  he  came  to  save, 
and  bearing  the  heavy  wrath  of  him  in  whose  bosom 
he  had  for  ever  dwelt.  And  even  after  his  death,  one 
of  the  soldiers,  in  wanton  indignity  and  derision,  with 
a  spear  pierced  his  side,  and  forthwith  came  thereout 
Hood  and  water. 

We  there  declare  the  trtje  cause  of  his  death. 
If  Jesus  Christ  had  deserved  to  suffer,  if  like  other 
men  he  had  himself  sinned,  then  there  would  have 
been  no  cause  thus  to  celebrate  his  death.  But  he 
was  wounded  for  our  transgressions.  "  In  the  ordinary 
course  of  justice,"  says  Bishop  Andrewes,  "  when  a 
party  is  put  to  death,  we  say,  and  say  truly,  that 
the  executioner  cannot  be  said  to  be  the  cause  of 
his  death,  nor  the  sheriff  by  whose  commandment  he 
does  it,  nor  yet  the  judge  by  whose  sentence,  nor  the 
jury  by  whose  verdict,  nor  the  law  itself  by  whose 
authority  it  proceeded.  Sin,  and  sin  only,  is  the 
murderer.  In  a  certain  sense  it  is  so  here.  It  was 
the  sin  of  our  polluted  hands  that  pierced  his  hands ; 
the  swiftness  of  our  feet  to  do  evil,  that  nailed  his  feet 
to  the  tree  ;  the  wicked  devices  of  our  head  that 
gored  his  head ;  and  the  wretched  devices  of  our 
heart  that  pierced  his  heart;  our  sinfulness  caused 
his  death,  and  his  death  takes  away  our  sin."  As 
far  as  it  regards  man,  sin  was  the  cause  of  Christ's 
death.  But,  O  how  wonderful  was  the  divine  mercy, 
that  God,  in  his  abounding  love,  look  occasion  from 
the  sinfulness  of  man,  to  display  the  glories  of  his 
own  holiness  and  justice,  and  the  riches  of  his  own 
grace.  In  this  view  we  may  trace  yet  higher  the 
purpose  of  Christ's  death,  and  see  it  originating  before 
time  began,  in  the  everlasting  counsels  of  Jehovah, 
2  Tim.  i.  9.      The  Saviour  had   no  sin,  nor  could 


O- 


•7* 


I o 

78  THE    DESIGN    OF 

any  created  arm  have  put  him  to  death  ;  God  the 
Father  it  was,  that  spared  not  his  own  Son,  hut  deliver- 
ed him  up  for  us  all,  Rom.  viii.  32.  That  his  law 
might  remain  inviolable,  that  his  justice  might  be 
for  ever  unsullied,  and  yet  sinful  man  be  for  ever 
blessed,  it  pleased  the  Lord  to  bruise  him;  he  hath  put 
him  to  grief.  It  has  been  observed,  the  very  suffer- 
ings which,  so  far  as  we  are  concerned,  were  the 
effect  of  our  crimes,  were,  by  the  mysterious  counsel 
of  God,  the  expiation  of  them :  Christ  was  weary, 
that  we  might  rest  ;  he  hungered,  that  we  might  eat 
the  bread  of  life  ;  and  thirsted,  that  we  might  drink 
the  water  of  life.  He  grieved,  that  we  might  rejoice ; 
and  became  miserable,  to  make  us  happy.  He  was 
apprehended,  that  we  might  escape ;  accursed,  that  we 
might  be  acquitted  ;  and  condemned,  that  we  might 
be  absolved.  He  died,  that  we  might  live  ;  and  was 
crucified  by  men,  that  we  might  be  justified  before  God. 
Thus  the  Lord's  Supper  was  designed  to  represent, 
commemorate,  and  show  forth  the  Lord's  death  as  a 
sacrifice  for  sin.  This  is  done  for  our  own  edifica- 
tion, as  a  testimony  to  the  world,  and  as  a  prevailing 
mode  of  pleading  his  merits  before  God.  It  has  been 
observed,  that,  "  what  we  more  compendiously  ex- 
press  in  that  general  conclusion  of  our  prayers, 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  we  more  fully  and 
forcibly  represent  in  the  celebration  of  the  Holy  Eu- 
charist, wherein  we  plead  the  virtue  and  merits  of  the 
same  sacrifice  here,  that  our  great  High  Priest  is  con- 
tinually urging  for  us  in  heaven."* 

*  "  Receiving  the  Lord's  Supper,  is,"  as  Mr.  Scott  has  re- 
marked, "  making  a  profession  of  those  things  in  which  genuine 
Christianity  consists.  It  is  saying,  I  believe  that  I  am  that  lost 
sinner  who  must  have  perished  if  Christ  had  not  come  to  save 

) o 


o o 

THE    lord's    supper.  "79 

Whenever,   then,  Christian   reader,  you   celebrate 
this  ordinance,  we  exhort  you  in  the  expressive  words 
of  a   late  writer,   "  Look  up  to  the  offering  of  Jesus 
Christ  once  for  all :  look  to  him  as  dying  for  the  re- 
mission of  your  sins,  washing  them  away  in  his  pre- 
cious   blood;     suffering    that    you    might    be    saved. 
And  while  you  are  kneeling  under  his  cross,  touched 
with  the   utmost  possible  sense  of   God's    love,  who 
gave   his  only  begotten  Son,  and   affected  with  senti- 
ments of  the   most  tender  devotion  to  him  who  gave 
himself  for  you  ;  embrace  also  with  your  good  will 
all  mankind,  whom  he  loved  for  his  sake.     Then  rise 
up,  by  his  grace,  to  the  sober,  continual  practice    of 
every  thing  that  is  good,  and   excellent,  and  praise- 
worthy, and  conformable  to  such  sentiments  and  affec- 
tions, and  the  obligations  laid  on  you  by  his  infinite 

love." 

The  observance  of  the  Lord's  Supper  contains  also 
a  virtual  declaration  of  our  expectation  of  his 
COMING  AGAIN.  We  show  forth  the  Lord's  death,  till 
he  come  as  the  Judge  of  all  men.   1  Cor.  iv.  5  ;  xi.  26. 

By  this  ordinance  we  acknowledge  that  Jesus  Christ 
will  come  to  judge  the  world.  We  show  that  we 
believe  that  a  solemn  day  is  approaching,  when  God 
shall  bring  every  work  into  judgment,  with  every  secret 

the  lost:  I  believe  him  to  be  the  Son  of  God;  and  that  his 
1  blood,  shed  in  immense  love  to  lost  sinners,  is  an  all-sufficient 
atonement:  in  this  persuasion  I  repent  of  all  sin,  renounce  all 
other  confidence,  receive  Christ  as  my  Saviour, '  feed  on  him  in 
my  heart  by  faith  with  thanksgiving,'  yield  myself  to  his  ser- 
vice, and  join  myself  to  his  people;  and  in  avowing  this  at  the 
Lord's  table,  I  avow  that  I  put  no  trust  in  that  act  of  obedience, 
but  offer  it  as  a  sacriffice  of  thanksgiving,  acceptable  only 
through  his  sacrifice  of  atonement  as  signified  by  it."  See 
Scott's  Letters,  p.  293. 


o- 


6 


o o 

80  THE    DESIGN    OF 

tlihig,  whether  it  he  good  or  evil — that  all  mankind  shall 
then  be  divided  into  two  classes,  and  only  two,  the 
righteous  and  the  wicked — the  future  inhabitants  of 
heaven  and  of  hell — of  everlasting  punishment,  and 
everlasting  life.  Partaking  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  is 
an  implied  and  public  avowal  of  this  expectation.  How 
important  is  this  avowal !  How  well  calculated  to  re- 
strain evil,  and  encourage  righteousness  ?  How  suited 
to  fill  us  with  a  holy  reverence  of  God,  and  a  just  fear 
of  displeasing  him ! 

But  while  this  view  inspires  reverence,  there  is  ano- 
ther consideration  which  should  fill  the  servants  of  God 
with  the  liveliest  hope  and  joy.  He  comes  also  as  the 
SAVIOUR  OF  HIS  PEOPLE.    Heb.  ix.  28. 

Had  we  no  farther  view  than  to  remember  and  de- 
clare our  Saviour's  death,  this  ordinance  would  be  full 
of  comfort ;  but  since  we  have  not  only  to  look  back 
on  what  Christ  has  done,  but  forward  to  what  he  will 
do,  new  beams  of  light  and  joy  are  shed  around  this 
blessed  institution.  It  leads  us  to  look  up  to  Jesus  as 
a-  living  Redeemer,  gone  to  prepare  places  for  us  in 
the  mansions  of  his  Father's  house,  (John  xiv.  2,  3.) 
and  to  comfort  each  other  with  the  animating  hope 
that,  notwithstanding  all  the  dangers,  trials,  and  sor- 
rows of  our  present  state,  we  shall  soon  be  admitted 
into  his  presence,  and  then  we  shall  ever  he  with  the 
Lord.  In  receiving  the  Lord's  Supper,  we  declare 
our  hope  that  Christ  will  hereafter  appear  for  us  as 
our  Deliverer  ;  that  however  now  we  may  be  groaning 
under  the  burden  of  many  sins,  contending  with  our 
spiritual  enemies,  and  often  worsted  in  the  contest ; 
yet  then  he  will  have  purified  our  souls,  and  will  pre- 
sent us  faultless  before  the  presence  of  his  glory  loith  ex- 
ceeding joy.  We  declare  our  hope  that  however  the 
O 0 


o ■ ^- — — ' 0 

THE    lord's    supper.  81 

Christian  may  now  be  afflicted  and  despised,  his  wis- 
dom will  one  day  be  universally  acknowledged ;  the 
justice  of  God  perfectly  cleared  ;  and  his  servants  be 
openly  owned  by  him,  and  for  ever  blessed  with  him. 
When  this  happy  day  arrives,  then,  and  not  till  then, 
will  the  observance  of  this  solemn  ordinance  cease  to 
be  a  duty.  "  Then  his  people  will  no  longer  need 
stich  memorials  as  these ;  for  they  will  incessantly 
enjoy  the  brightest  vision  of  his  person,  and  the  rich- 
est fruits  of  his  death*" 


O --" O 


Q — .^ — — . Q 


CliAPTER  VL 

THE    OBLIGATION    TO    RECEIVE    THE    tOKD'S    SUPPER;' 

When  we  consider  the  very  small  proportion  of  the 
congregation  assembling  for  public  worship,  which 
usually  remains  to  partake  of  this  ordinance,  it  can- 
not be  deemed  unnecessary  to  insist  on  the  obligation 
which  lies  on  the  truly  pious  not  to  neglect  it.  Even 
in  more  religious  congregations,  where  the  ministry 
is  most  efficient,  it  has  been  calculated  that  rarely 
anything  like  one  fourth  stay  to  partake  of  the  Lord's 
Supper ;  and  the  proportion  is,  in  general,  mubh  less. 

The  primitive  Christians  did  not  thus  turn  away 
from  the  Lord's  table:  the  churches  communicated 
every  Lord's  day,  and  it  was  the  practice  for  all, 
both  clergy  and  laity  to  receive.* 

What  a  blessing  would  it  be  to  the  church,  could  it 
be  again  said  of  Christians,  They  continued  ^aily  with 
One  accord  in  the  temple,  and  breaking  bread  from  house 
to  house,  did  eat  their  meat  iviih  gladness  and  singleness 
of  heart ;  praising  God,  and  having  favour  with  all  the 
people. 

*  See  Bingham's  Christian  Antiquities,  fob  vol.  i.  p.  824-826, 
and  Acts  xx.  7.  Some  have  thought  from  the  statement,  '  they 
continued  stedfastly  in  the  Apostle's  doctrine  and  fellowship, 
and  in  breaking  of  bread  and  prayers,"  (Acts  ii.  42.)  and  from 
the  expression  '  coming  together  to  eat,'  &.c.  (1  Cor.  xi.  20,  33.) 
that  the  primitive  Christians  received  the  Lord's  Supper  when- 
ever they  assembled  together  for  public  worship. 


-0 


O — .-.- Q 

TH^  OBLIGATION  TO  RECEIVE  THE  LORD's  SUPPER.     83 

Observe  the  reasons  vvhich  should  induce  sincere 
Christians  to  attend  to  this  institution* 

The  EXPRESS  command  of  our  saviour. — This  do 
in  remembrance  of  me.  Luke  xxii.  19.  1  Cor.  xi.  24,25. 
Here  we  have  a  plain  and  positive  precept.*  It  is  so 
express  that  it  cannot  easily  be  mistaken.  It  has  been 
objected,  that  such  a  rite  is  inconsistent  with  the  spi- 
rituality of  the  gospel,  and  has  no  moral  foundation ; 
but  the  very  circumstance  that  the  command  rests  on 
the  ground  of  positive  institution,  and  not  of  natural 
duty,  makes  the  observance  of  it  a  direct  acknowledg- 
ment of  the  authority  of  Christ,  and  the  neglect  of  it 
a  disregard  of  his  precept.  Hence,  as  Dr.  Owen 
says,  "  Faith  and  obedience  here  give  special  honour 
to  Christ  as  our  Sovereign.  It  is,  in  fact,  the  most  di- 
rect profession  of  the  subjection  of  our  souls  and  con- 
sciences to  the  authority  of  Christ  in  all  our  religion. 
Our  reason  for  it  is,  Christ  would  have  it  so."  There 
is  no  uncertainty  in  the  direction ;  it  is  not  conveyed 
in  dark  and  obscure  terms, — -this  do.  The  command 
is  easy.     No  burdensome  and  costly  sacrifices  are  re- 

*  In  answer  to  this  it  has  been  said,  that  the  washing  of  feet 
might  with  equal  propriety  be  now  enjoined  as  a  religious  obli- 
gation on  Christians,  from  the  words  of  our  Saviour,  "  Ye  ought 
also  to  wash  one  another's  feet,  for  I  have  given  you  an  example 
that  ye  should  do  as  I  have  done  to  you."  John  xiii.  12-15. 
But,  (1)  there  are  no  traces  in  other  parts  of  the  word  of  God, 
or  in  the  history  of  the  Church,  that  washing  of  feet  was  ob- 
served as  a  religious  ordinance  among  the  first  Christians.  (2) 
This  is  an  unsuitable  service  for  all  countries.  It  was  an  act 
of  kindness  and  humility,  and  very  refreshing  in  a  warm  coun- 
try ;  but  it  would  be  an  act  of  unkindness,  and  very  trouble- 
some and  unpleasant)  in  a  cold  one.  A  practical  lesson  of  hu- 
mility was  obviously  the  great  design  of  our  Lord  in  that  in- 
struction. 

). G 


o o 

84  THE    OBLIGATION    TO    RECEIVE 

quired,  no  long  and  tedious  rites  and  ceremonies  are 
to  be  gone  tlirough.  You  cannot  say  it  was  designed 
for  the  twelve  Apostles,  or  for  the  Jewish  nation  only  ; 
for  the  motive  applies  to  all  with  increasing  strength 
as  time  rolls  on,  and  the  practice  of  the  primitive  Gen- 
tile church  contradicts  such  an  interpretation,  it  is 
also  against  the  express  revelation  made  to  the  great 
Apostle  of  the  Gentile  church,  for  the  instruction  of  the 
Gentiles.  He  begins  his  account  of  this  ordinance,  by 
saying,  /  have  received  of  the  Lord  that  which  I  also 
delivered  to  you.  1  Cor.  xi.  23.  The  command  being 
positive,  love  to  our  Savteur  constrains  us  to  obedience. 
If  ye  love  me,  keep  my  commandments,  applies  to  every 
direction  of  Christ ;  but  with  peculiar  force  to  one 
given  at  the  point  of  death,  and  directly  concerning 
his  ov/n  honour.  The  command  being  positive,  the 
matter  comes,  where  this  ordinance  is  neglected,  to  this 
sad  issue,  "either  Christ  is  not  your  Lord,  or  you  are 
not  his  disciples  ;  for  a  Lord  without  obedience  !  a  dis- 
ciple without  obligation  !  how  manifest  the  absurdity, 
how  evident  the  inconsistency  !" 

2.  The  motive  assigned  for  obedience.- — It  is  pe- 
culiarly touching  and  affecting — in  remembrance  of 
Christ.  In  fulfilling  a  plain  precept,  you  also  give  a 
required  evidence  of  affectionate  recollection  of  a 
Saviour's  death.  A  grateful  heart  longs  for  occasions 
of  testifying  its  attachment,  and  gladly  avails  itself  of 
any  opportunity  of  showing  love  to  a  gracious  bene- 
factor. To  whom  are  you  so  much  indebted  as  you 
are  to  Christ  ?  In  what  instance  can  you  possibly 
have  equally  strong  reasons  to  show  gratitude  and  af- 
fection ? 

3.  The  universal  practice  of  the  church  in  the 
primitive  ages  strengthens  this  view  of  the  duty.    The 

G— O 


G 0 

THE  lord's  supper.  85 

whole  scope  of  the  Apostle's  reasoning  with  the  Corin- 
thians, (1  Cor.  X.  16-21 ;  xi.  20-34,)  shows  that  the 
first  Christians  were  in  the  frequent  habit  of  eating 
this  bread  and  drinking  this  wine.  The  mode  of  ex- 
pression, (Acts  XX.  7,)  "  upon  the  first  day  of  the  week, 
when  the  disciples  came  together  to  break  bread,  Paul 
preached  unto  them,^'  naturally  leads  us  to  conclude 
that  it  was  the  practice  of  the  church  at  Troas  to  com- 
municate weekly.     In  fact,  it  is  known*  that  it  was  in 

*  See  Bingham's  Christian  Antiquities,  book  xv.  chap.  ix. 

Justin  Martyr  has  given  us,  in  an  apology  for  the  Christians, 
written  only  140  years  after  Christ,  an  account  of  the  mode  of 
celebrating  the  Lord's  Supper  in  his  time-  I  subjoin  what  he 
says,  as  being  calculated  not  only  to  show  the  practice  of  the 
church,  but  to  prove  that  the  peculiarities  of  the  Roman  Catho- 
lic Mass  were  then  unknown* 

Describing  the  rites  of  the  first  Communion  after  Baptism,  he 
says,  after  prayers,  "  bread  and  a  cup  of  wine,  and  water,  are 
brought  to  the  President  or  Bishop,  which  he  takes,  and  offers 
up  praise  and  glory  to  the  Father  of  all  things,  through  the 
name  of  his  Son,  and  the  Holy  Spirit;  and  this  thanksgiving  to 
God  for  vouchsafing  us  worthy  of  these  his  creatures,  is  a  prayer 
of  more  than  ordinary  length.  When  the  Bishop  has  finished 
the  prayers  and  the  thanksgiving  service,  all  the  people  present 
conclude  with  an  audible  voice,  saying.  Amen ;  now  Amen,  in 
the  Hebrew  tongue  is,  so  be  it.  The  Eucharistical  office  being 
thus  performed  by  the  Bishop,  and  concluded  with  the  accla- 
mations of  all  the  people,  those  we  call  Deacons,  distribute  to 
every  one  present  to  partake  of  Eucharistical  bread,  and  wine, 
and  water,  and  then  they  carry  it  to  the  absent." 

"  This  food  we  call  the  Eucharist,  of  which  none  are  allowed 
to  be  partakers,  but  such  only  as  are  true  believers,  and  have 
been  baptized  in  the  laver  of  regeneration  for  the  remission  of 
sins,  and  live  according  to  Christ's  precepts  ;  for  we  do  not  take 
this  as  common  bread  and  common  wine.  But  as  Jesus  Christ 
our  Saviour  was  made  flesh  by  the  word  of  God,  and  had  real 
flesh  and  blood  for  our  salvation,  so  we  are  taught  that  this  food, 
which  the  very  same  word  blessed  by  prayer  and  thanksgiving, 

O 6 


) : ■ ■    - — ^ O 

86  THE    OBLIGATION    TO    RECEIVE 

the  primitive  times  receive  weekly,  and  in  some  cases 
ofLener.  Now  if  they,  some  of  whom  had  seen  our 
Lord  die,  and  all  of  whom  had  the  ardent  attachment 
of  primitive  Christianity  to  their  Lord,  felt  it  needful 
and  advantageous  thus  frequently  to  celebrate  the 
memorials  of  his  dying  love,  how  much  more  should 
we,  who  live  at  so  much  greater  a  distance  of  time,  and 
in  a  period  when  the  love  of  so  many  has  waxed  cold  7 
This  being  an  Institution  appointed  by  Jesus  Christ,  the 
Founder  of  a  spiritual  church,  and  who  gave  his  dis- 
ciples his  complete  design  when  he  established  that 
church,  it  was  not  like  many  of  the  ordinances  of  the 
Jewish  state,  merely  supported  by  carnal  reason,  or 
suited  to  their  national  condition,  or  continued  for  a 
season,  on  account  of  their  prejudices.  It  is  evident- 
ly and  eminently  fitted  to  promote  our  spiritual  im- 
provement, and  commanded  in  a  manner  which  leaves 
us  no  reason  to  suppose  that  it  was  ever  intended  to  be 
set  aside,  or  abrogated,  as  the  church  got  more  light 
and  experience,  but  rather  designed  as  a  standing  or- 
dinance. 

4.  The  statement  of  st.  paul  proves  that  the 

OBLIGATION  IS  STILL  BINDING  ON  CHRISTIANS.       As   often 

as  ye  eat  this  bread,  and  drink  this  cup,  ye  do  show  the 

is  turned  into  the  nourishment  and  substance  of  our  flesh  and 
blood,  and  is  in  some  sense  the  flesh  and- blood  of  the  incarnate 
Jesus."  After  quoting  the  account  of  the  institution  from  the 
Gospel,  and  adding  a  remark  respecting  the  mysteries  of  Mith- 
ra,  he  proceeds,  "  after  this  sacrament  is  over,  we  remind  each 
other  of  the  obligations  to  his  duty,  and  the  rich  relieve  the 
poor,  and  upon  such  charitable  accounts  we  visit  some  or  other 
every  day."  His  description  of  Christian  worship  on  the  Sun- 
day, leads  us  to  conclude  that  the  Lord's  Supper  ever  formed  a 
part  of  public  worship  on  that  day.  See  Reeve's  Apologies  of 
the  Fathers,  p.  115-126. 
) o 


0— — — ■  ■  -■'  ■ -  ■  '■ 

THE  lord's  supper.  87 

Lord's  death  till  he  come.  1  Cor.  xi.  26.  While  tho 
expression  implies  that  the  Corinthians  were  in  the  fre 
quent  practice  of  partaking  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  it 
shows  that  it  is  the  duty  of  the  church  to  celebrate  it, 
till  our  Lord  comes  to  judge  the  world.  It  is  surely 
&n  insufficient  answer  to  this  passage  to  say,  that  the 
coming  of  Christ  here  intended  is  his  spiritual  coming, 
br  the  indwelling  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  true  believers ; 
for  he  had  undoubtedly  come  in  this  manner  to  many 
of  the  Corinthians,  and  yet  they  were  in  the  habit  of 
partaking  of  the  outward  ordinance,  and  the  Apostle 
directed  them  to  continue  the  practice. 

Hence  we  conclude,  then,  that  the  respectable,  and 
in  many  respects  exemplary  body  of  Christians,  who 
from  motives  of  conscience  lay  aside  the  outward 
observance  of  this  Sacrament,  are  not  borne  out  by 
scriptural  authority,  or  primitive  practice.  But  let 
us  not  judge  or  condemn  them  :  but  rather  remember 
of  each  one,  to  kis  own  Mastet  he  standeth  or  falleth. 
But  our  reasoning  applies  with  peculiar  force  to 
those  who  have  no  such  scruples,  and  yet  usually 
abstain  from  the  Lord's  Table.  It  leaves  them  with- 
out excuse. 

The  FREQUENCE  with  which  we  shall  discharge  this 
duty  is  indeed  here  left,  as  in  various  other  cases,  to 
our  own  conscience.  Thus  it  becomes  a  trial  of  the 
state  of  our  mind  towards  our  Redeemer,  a  test  of  our 
affectionate  remembrance  of  him,  and  an  evidence  of 
the  warmth  of  our  love  to  him.  Judging  by  this 
test,  is  not,  Christian  reader,  the  true  state  of  the 
church,  even  in  favoured  England,  lamentably  low  ? 
It  may  be  said  generally,  that  if  your  heart  be  right 
with  God,  you  will  permit  no  opportunity  that  occurs 
in  the  place  where  you  Worship,  to  pass  by  without 

O -  -    -  © 


0 — 0 

88  THE    OBLIGATION   TO    RECEIVE 

enjoying  this  blessing.  Thomas,  when  once  absent 
from  the  disciples,  lost  the  cheering  sight  of  his 
Saviour,  which  they  enjoyed.  Yet  the  frequency  of 
the  communion  should  not  perhaps  be  such  as  may 
tend  to  prevent  preparation,  or  the  impression  which 
such  a  solemnity  has,  when  received  at  occasional 
intervals.  It  appears  very  desirable  that  it  should  be 
administered  and  received  once  a  month,  and  on  the 
great  festivals  of  our  church.  Nor  need  we  fear  that 
such  a  frequent  reception  will  so  abate  our  reverence 
in  attending  as  to  hinder  our  profit.  The  daily  prac- 
tice of  prayer  and  reading  the  Scriptures  has  not  such 
an  effect.  It  is  observable  that  the  Epistle  which 
gives  particular  cautions  against  formality,  gives  the 
direction,  not  forsaking  the  assembling  of  yourselves 
together.  Heb.  x.  25.  Some  pious  ministers  have 
found  monthly  communion  to  be  more  adapted  to  the 
present  circumstances  of  the  church,  than  its  more 
frequent  administration. 

Supposing  the  obligation  to  receive  it  be  plainly 
proved,  and  fully  admitted,  consider  farther,  that  to 
NEGLECT  it,  is  attended  with  aggravated  guilt  and 
danger. 

It  is  WILFUL    AND    REPEATED    DISOBEDIENCE    TO    YOUR 

SAVIOUR.  He  directs  you,  and  his  ministers  invite 
you,  to  frequent  his  table.  They  say  again  and 
again,  Come,  for  all  things  are  now  ready.  But  if  you 
are  living  in  the  neglect  of  this  ordinance,  you  greatly 
resemble  those  who  first  rejected  the  Gospel.  They 
with  one  consent  began  to  make  excuse  ;  and  you  know 
that  it  was  said  of  them,  none  of  those  men  which  were 
bidden  shall  taste  of  my  supper.  The  soul  was  to  be 
cut  off,  and  the  man  was  to  bear  his  sin,  that  neglect- 
ed to  eat  the  passover.  Numb.  ix.  13.  Have  you 
G ^ O 


O — o 

THE  lord's  supper.  89 

not  reason  to  fear  that  a  neglect  of  the  Lord's  Supper 
will  be  attended  with  a  similar  danger  ? 

It  is    SEPARATING   FROM    YOUR    CHRISTIAN     BRETHREN. 

You  thus  break  off  communion  with  your  fellow 
Christians.  By  such  conduct  you  declare  that  you 
wish  not  to  be  numbered  with  the  true  disciples  of 
Jesus  Christ,  but  would  rather  have  your  lot  with 
those  who  neglect  him. 

It    is    A    VIRTUAL   UNDERVALUING     OF   YOUR    BAPTISM. 

That  was  a  sign  of  your  admission  into  the  Christian 
church.  The  Lord's  Supper  is  the  sign  of  your  con- 
tinuance in  it.  By  neglecting  it,  you  appear  to  count 
your  baptism  a  privilege  not  worth  maintaining. 
This  is  also  done  when  you  come  to  years  of  discre- 
tion, and  it  is  your  own  voluntary  act,  even  after, 
through  the  piety  of  your  parents,  you  have  been 
baptized.  Is  it  not  manifest,  that  if  it  had  been  left 
to  your  own  choice,  you  would  not  have  been  bap- 
tized ?  Do  not  go  thus  far  to  renounce  Christianity. 
It  was  a  great  sin  to  withdraw  from  professing  it,  in 
times  of  difficulty  and  persecution,  (Heb.  x.  26-31.) 
when  it  might  seem  to  admit  of  some  extenuation 
from  the  frailty  of  man,  and  the  fear  of  such  dreadful 
sufferings  as  the  primitive  martyrs  underwent ;  but 
'•  by  neglecting  the  Lord's  Supper,  (the  peculiar  rite 
of  Christians,)  do  you  not  in  effect  deny  the  profes- 
sion that  you  may  have  made  of  Christianity,  and 
deny  it,  remember,  in  times  of  liberty  and  encou- 
ragement?" 

It    is  PUTTING   A    SLIGHT    ON   YOUR    SAVIOUr's    DEATH. 

The  Lord's  Supper  is  the  memorial  of  his  Sacrifice. 
When  you  refuse  to  come,  you  do  in  effect  declare,  I 
will  remember  my  worldly  friends,  my  pleasures,  my 
private  pursuits,  or  other  engagements ;  but  I  will  not 


O 


8* 


o . <• 

90  THE    OBLIGATION    TO    RECEIVE 

remember  my  Redeemer  in  the  greatest  instance  of 
his  love.  I  will  not  confess  my  dying  Lord ;  1  will 
not  honour  his  name ;  I  will  not  declare  my  hope  in 
his  cross.  I  wish  to  have  no  concern  in  his  atone- 
ment and  salvation.  Christian  reader,  can  you  bear 
the  implications  which  attach  to  this  neglect  ?  Did 
Jesus  die  for  you,  and  will  you  not  obey  one  of  his 
last,  one  of  his  most  easy,  one  of  his  most  delightful 
precepts  !  The  point  is  gained.  Your  heart  yields. 
You  will  mourn  over  your  past  ingratitude,  and  de- 
termine to  embrace  every  opportunity  of  remembering 
and  publicly  confessing  a  crucified  Saviour.  You 
see  that  not  to  do  so,  is  in  fact  to  renounce  communion 
with  Christ,  and  to  say,  "  I  can  spend  my  time  with 
ease  and  pleasure,  in  the  scenes  of  idleness  and 
trifling; ;  but  I  care  not  to  be  with  Christ  and  love  not 
communion  with  him." 

It  is  INCURRING  the  AWFUL  DANGER  of  partaking  of 
the  judgments  which  he  will  inflict  on  the  ungodly 
at  his  return.  The  passover  was  the  pledge  of 
Israel's  safety ;  and  the  Lord's  Supper,  to  the  true 
receiver,  is  the  pledge  of  his  safety  from  a  worse  de- 
struction than  that  of  the  first-born  in  Egypt. 

But  the  YOUNG  may  be  especially  addressed  on  this 
subject.  The  Jews,  it  would  appear,  (Luke  ii.  41, 
42.)  took  their  children  at  twelve  years  of  age,  to 
partake  of  the  passover ;  and  well  would  it  be  if 
Christian  youth,  at  twelve  or  fourteen,  under  right 
impressions,  and  with  intelligence  and  piety,  began  to 
partake  of  the  Lord's  Supper.  When  this  season  is 
neglected,  life  passes  silently  forward,  habits  of  omis- 
sion get  formed,  and  diffidence  and  false  shame 
strengthen  them.  It  has  been  observed,  "  we  natu- 
rally feel   some  degree   of  embarrassment  in  doing 

o -o 


o o 

THE    lord's   supper.  91 

any  thing,  for  the  first  time,  that  is  attended  with  a 
considerable  degree  of  interest,  and  public  solemnity." 
This  difficulty  increases  with  increasing  years.  I 
trust  that  those  of  my  younger  readers,  whose  hearts 
are  renewed  by  divine  grace,  will  therefore  feel  that 
now  is  the  happy  opportunity,  now  is  the  precise 
time,  in  which  they  should  commence  a  practice 
which  will  soon  become  a  blessed  habit,  brinfjino; 
along  with  it  a  most  important  train  of  consequences, 
full  of  benefit  to  them  all  their  days.  It  is  a  turning 
point  of  your  life.  Come  to  this  table,  and  you  are 
taking  a  most  important  step  towards  fixing  you  for  a 
holy,  useful,  and  happy  life.  Turn  from  it,  and  you 
are  multiplying  the  difficulties  which  the  world,  the 
flesh,  and  the  devil,  ever  present  in  the  way  to  hea- 
ven. Tlie  kindness  of  our  youth,  (Jer.  ii.  2.)  is  much 
remembered  by  our  heavenly  Father.  Give,  then,  to 
Christ,  the  first  and  the  best  of  your  days. 

Yet  while  we  would  invite  you  and  all  Christians, 
and  require  you  in  the  name  of  your  Saviour,  not  to 
neglect  his  plain  command  ;  we  would  press  you  also 
to  examine  yourselves  whether  ye  he  in  the  faith  :  if  you 
are  still  living  in  a  course  of  sin,  come  not  here ;  but 
yet  keep  not  away  altogether ;  repent  of  your  sins, 
believe  in  Christ,  devote  yourselves  to  him,  and  then 
come,  and  you  will  obtain  both  edification  and  com- 
fort. 

In  this  chapter  we  have  only  considered  the  obliga- 
tions in  the  way  of  duty;  the  privilege  must  be  re- 
served for  farther  notice.  Let  us  feel  with  Bishop 
Taylor,  "  Happy  is  that  soul  that  comes  to  these 
springs  of  salvation,  as  the  hart  to  the  water-brooks, 
panting  and  thirsting,  weary  of  sin,  and  hating  vanity, 
and  reaching  out  the  heart  and  hands  to  Christ."- 

o o 


-0 


CHAPTER  VII. 

ANSWERS  TO  THE  EXCUSES  COMMONLY  MADE  FOR  NOT 
COMING  TO  THE  LORD'S  SUPPER. 

The  obligation  will  be  still  farther  felt,  if  we  con- 
sider the  excuses  by  which  scrupulous  or  unwilling 
minds  commonly  justify  their  absence. 

That  which  is  most  frequently  urged,  and  which 
has  perhaps  the  greatest  weight,  is  this — ^they  that 
receive  unworthily  incur  great  guilt ;  we  are  un- 
worthy,   AND    THEREFORE    WE    DARE     NOT   GO.        This 

excuse,  seeming  to  imply  a  reverence  to  this  institu- 
tion, makes  many  easy,  under  a  direct  act  of  disobe- 
dience ;  yet,  in  fact,  it  arises  from  ignorance  and 
unbelief. 

It  arises  from  ignorance  ;  for  many  persons  do 
not  make  the  evident  distinction  between  being  un- 
worthy and  receiving  unworthily.  The  very  best 
are  unworthy.  The  guilty  and  the  sinful  are  the  very 
persons  invited  to  come.  A  sense  of  our  sinfulness  is 
a  needful  part  of  preparation.  If  indeed  a  poor  man 
resist,  or  cast  from  him,  the  bounty  of  the  benevolent, 
he  is  unworthy  of  relief  If  a  sick  man  reject  the 
medicine  which  would  heal  him,  he  is  unworthy  of 
health  ;  but  you  see  evidently  that  the  poverty  of  the 
one  is  the  very  reason  why  he  should  take  the  offered 
relief;  the  sickness  of  the  other  is  the  most  powerful 
motive  to  welcome  and  receive  the  physician's  pre- 
scriptions.    If  then  you  are  sensible  of  your  unwor- 


■O 


) 0 

ANSWERS    TO    EXCUSES.  93 

thiness.  and  desire  pardon  and  grace,  you  should  ask 
them,  not  because  you  are  worthy,  but  because  you 
need  these  blessings,  and  must  perish  without  them. 
You  not  only  want  them,  but  Jesus  Christ  invites  you 
to  come  and  receive  supplies  adapted  to  your  necessi- 
ties.  If*  you  are  afraid  of  receiving  unworthily, 
you  will  find  in  a  subsequent  chapter  some  informa- 
tion and  directions  which  may  remove  this  fear. 

But  is  there  not  much  unbelief  and  presumption  in 
staying  away  1  You  think,  perhaps,  that  by  going  you 
are  presuming.  No :  it  is  not  presumption  to  accept 
our  Lord's  invitation,  and  fulfil  his  command.  For 
why  was  the  precept  given,  if  it  were  presumptuous 
to  obey  it  ?  Take  care  lest  you  be  found  impugning 
the  wisdom  of  the  great  Legislator.  The  presumption 
is  in  refusing  to  come,  and  not  in  obeying  the  precept. 
Our  turning  away  from  the  Lord's  table  does  not  prove 
our  humility,  but  our  forgetfulness  of  Christ's  request. 
Is  there  not  reason  to  fear  that  it  arises  not  "  from  a 
tender  conscience,  but  from  a  cold,  careless,  worldly 
heart."  Burkitt  well  observes,  that,  "  the  reverence 
which  our  Saviour  expects  to  this  holy  institution,  is  a 
reverence  of  obedience."  Some  that  object  to  receive 
on  account  of  unworthiness,  do,  as  it  has  been  remark- 
ed, "  venture  at  some  great  solemnities,  as  Easter,*  to 
approach  this  table,  which  makes  it  wonderful  how 
they  can  reconcile  their  notion  of  unworthiness  with 
their  practice  of  receiving  at  such  seasons  ;  or  else 

a  It  is  difficult  to  say  on  what  ground  the  practice  of  occa- 
sional communion  is  justified.  If  it  be  z  privilege  to  commu- 
nicate, it  is  showing  but  slight  appreciation  of  this  privilege, 
thus  to  neglect  the  ordinance,  except  at  distant  intervals.  And 
if  it  be  a  duty,  then  surely  the  obligation  is  equally  binding  on 
all  ordinary  occasions  of  its  celebration,  as  on  Christmas  or 
Easter. — Ed. 

) o 


94  ANSWERS    TO    EXCUSES. 

they  must  have  at  those  seasons  a  better  opinion  of 
themselves  than  is  consistent  with  Christian  humility." 
But  beware  of  unbelieving  thoughts  of  your  Heavenly 
Father's  love  ;  entertain  not  hard  thoughts  of  the  com- 
passionate Saviour  of  men.  They  are  highly  disho- 
nourable to  his  word,  and  his  promises,  and  are  very 
prejudicial  to  yourselves.  The  Lord's  Supper  was 
never  designed  to  be  a  snare  to  human  frailty.  Re- 
member, that  you  are  not  coming  to  Mount  Sinai, 
burning  with  fire,  and  covered  with  blackness,  with 
bounds  fixed  to  keep  off  the  people  ;  but  rather  to  Mount 
Sion,  to  Jesus  the  Mediator  of  the  neio  covenant,  and  the 
blood  of  sprinkling  which  speaketh  better  things. 

Another  excuse  with  many  is,  I  am  too  mtjch  en- 
gaged IN  business  to  prepare  for  so  SOLEMN  A  DUTY. 

"  I  cannot,"  says  Bishop  Patrick,  "  believe  that  any 
man  is  so  employed,  that  constantly,  when  he  is  to  re- 
ceive the  sacrament,  he  must  omit  it,  or  be  a  great 
loser.  It  is  incredible  that  his  business  must  be  done 
just  at  that  time,  and  that  none  other  will  serve."  He 
then  shews  the  futility  of  the  excuse,  by  stating,  that 
if  a  large  sum  of  money  were  to  be  given,  every  time 
a  person  came,  few  would  resist  this  golden  reason ; 
they  would,  in  that  case,  put  aside  all  other  business. 
Such  a  view  may  lead  us  to  detect  the  real  state  of  our 
minds.  Consider,  if  the  true  meaning  of  this  excuse 
be  not  this — "  I  am  leading  a  life  inconsistent  with  the 
discharge  of  Christian  duties  ;  I  am  living  an  unchris- 
tian life  ;  and  if  I  die,  my  soul  is  lost  for  ever."  The 
discharge  of  your  religious  duties  is  your  first  and 
great  business  ;  and  you  had  better  let  the  body  perish 
for  want  of  its  proper  food,  than  the  soul  perish  for  want 
of  spiritual  food.  Remember,  however  m'^ch  you  are 
occupied,  you  will  one  day  stand  in  judgment  before 

o o 


o — — — ( 

ANSWERS   TO    EXCUSES.  95 

Him,  who,  though  so  engaged  in  providing  for  your  sal- 
vation, as  not  to  have  time  to  eat  bread,  yet  spent 
whole  nights  in  prayer,  rather  than  neglect  to  fulfil  all 
righteousness.  Yet  after  all,  the  due  preparation  for 
the  Lord's  Supper  is  often  much  mistaken.  This  sub- 
ject will  be  afterwards  noticed.  Those  who  are  really 
so  engrossed  in  this  world'3  business,  as  to  have  no 
time  for  their  most  solemn  duties,  should  seriously  in- 
quire, whether  much  of  that  business  that  hinders  them 
be  not  needless,  or  hurtful  to  their  highest  interests. 
But  however  this  may  be,  no  business  of  this  world  can 
justify  the  continued  neglect  of  manifest  religious 
duties.  Seek  jirst  the  kingdom  of  God  and  his  righ- 
teousness, and  all  other  things  shall  be  added  unto  you. 

A  third  excuse  sometimes  offered  is,  I  have  receiv- 
ed THE  lord's  supper,  AND  HAVE  FOUND  NO  BENEFI- 
CIAL EFFECTS  FROM  IT.  Perhaps  you  have  mistaken 
the  kind  of  benefit  which  you  expected,  and  have  look- 
ed for  sensible  and  momentary  comfort,  instead  of 
solid  growth  in  grace.  This  ordinance  has  no  mira- 
culous power  over  the  animal  frame,  but  supplies  the 
mind  with  powerful  motives  and  considerations,  where- 
by, through  the  gracious  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
we  are  enabled  to  resist  the  attacks  of  our  spiritual 
enemies.  It  is  a  means  of  obtaining  spiritual  strength 
from  God.  The  Christian  cannot  perhaps  fully  know 
in  this  world,  what  secret  strength  may  thus  have  been 
given  to  him,  and  how  he  may  have  been  kept  from 
the  ways  of  sin,  and  in  the  ways  of  God,  by  the  mo- 
tives here  suggested  to  his  mind.  But  we  may  very 
safely,  as  to  this  excuse,  put  it  to  every  conscience — 
Can  you  really  say,  after  you  have  deliberately  pre- 
pared yourself  for  this  ordinance,  and  received  it  with 
seriousness,  that  no  resolution  against  sin  has  received 
G O 


96 


ANSWERS   TO    EXCUSES. 


fresh  confirmation,  no  obligation  to  obedience  has  been 
strengthened  ?  Or  at  least,  is  it  not  presumptuous  to 
question  the  efficacy,  or  deny  the  obligation  of  attend- 
ing upon  an  ordinance  of  God,  merely  because  you 
have  not  yet  derived  from  it  all  the  benefits  which  you 
expected  ? 

Again,  it  is  objected,  I  am  afraid  that,  weak  as  i 

AM,  I  SHALL  BREAK  MY  RESOLUTIONS,  AND  SO  INCUR 

GREATER  GUILT.  You  forgct  that  this  ordinance  is  cal- 
culated to  strengthen  your  resolutions.  You  forget 
that  every  temporal  blessing  you  partake  of,  increases 
your  obligations  to  serve  God.  You  forget  the  greater 
guilt  of  neglecting  a  Divine  Institution.  But  delibe- 
rately ask  yourself,  "Do  I  mean  to  give  up  myself 
to  the  unrestrained  enjoyment  of  sin,  and  the  certainty 
of  endless  ruin — or  do  I  wish  to  be  the  disciple  of 
Christ,  and  the  heir  of  his  glory  ?"  If  indeed  you 
cared  not  about  eternal  life,  and  could  be  supposed 
awfully  to  choose  eternal  wrath,  this  excuse  would  be 
less  inconsistent.  But  if  you  really  desire  to  live 
with  Christ,  and  to  spend  a  blessed  eternity  in  the 
mansions  above,  consider,  that  the  admission  of  your 
weakness  is  the  reason  why  you  should  constantly  go 
to  the  Lord's  table  for  new  supplies  of  grace  ;  and  if 
you  fall  again,  as  all  more  or  less  do,  come  the  oftener 
to  the  appointed  means  of  weakening  sin,  and  enliven- 
ing faith,  hope,  love,  and  every  Christian  grace. 
Some  have  felt  scruples  about  receiving,  because 

OTHERS  WERE    AT    ENMITY    WITH    THEM  :    but  this  is    not 

founded  on  any  just  interpretation  of  Scripture.  This 
view  would  also  condemn  our  Saviour,  the  twelve 
Apostles,  and  the  whole  primitive  Church  ;  for  none 
had  such  bitter  enemies  as  they  had,  at  the  very  time 
this  communion  was  most  frequent. 


O- 


o ^ o 

ANSWERS    TO    EXCUSES.  97 

Others  feel  the  presence  of  some  against  whom 
they  have  a  prejudice,  or  of  whom  they  have  reason 
to  think  ill,  a  sufficient  excuse  ;  forgetting  the  pecu- 
liarity of  the  Apostle's  expression — he  that  catetli  and 
drinketh  unworthily^  ea.teih  and  drinkeih  damnation  to 
HIMSELF,  and  not  to  his  fellow  communicants;  forget- 
ting our  Lord  knew  that  Judas  would  betray  him, 
Peter  deny  him,  and  all  forsake  him,  when  he  cele- 
brated the  last  Supper  with  them.  Yet  we  would  not 
by  these  remarks  justify  indiscriminate  communion. 
The  Holy  Scripture  (1  Cor.  v.  11-13,)  as  well  as 
the  Church  of  England,  directs  that  all  open  sinners 
be  excluded. 

Others  receive  only  at  particular  Festivals,  not 
considering,  as  Chrysostom  remarks,  that  "  what 
makes  it  reasonable  to  communicate,  is  not  merely  a 
festival,  or  the  time  of  a  more  solemn  assembly,  but 
a  pure  conscience  and  a  life  free  from  sin." 

"  Some  Christians,"  it  has  been  observed,  "enquire 
whether  they  should  continue  to  approach  the  table 
of  their  Saviour,  when  their  consciences  are  burdened 
with  the  guilt  of  any  particular  sin.  To  this  the 
answer  is  obvious,  because  one  end  of  receiving  the 
body  and  blood  of  Christ,  is  to  obtain  the  very  bless- 
ings of  pardon,  and  peace  of  conscience,  which  the 
objection  supposes  to  be  most  wanted.  If,  indeed, 
unhappily,  we  have  committed  some  aggravated 
offence  against  God,  and  the  ordinary  period  of  our 
partaking  of  the  Eucharist  be  near,  it  may  be  expe- 
dient to  abstain  for  that  season  from  the  Lord's  Sup- 
per ;  but  this  abstinence  must  be  with  the  express  in- 
tention of  more  humbly  confessing  our  sins  before 
God,"  that  we  may  with  sincere  penitence  and  faith 
hereafter  receive. 

O Q 

9 


o- 


-0 


98 


ANSWERS   TO    EXCUSES. 


It  may  appear  wonderful,  even  allowing  the  gene- 
ral darkness  and  corruption  of  the  human  heart,  that 
there  should  be  such  a  prevailing  tendency  in  pro- 
fessing  Christians  to  negligence,  in  a  case  where 
there  are  so  many  strong  and  tender  motives  for  obe- 
dience. Some  of  these  fears,  possibly,  may  have 
originated  from  the  once  generally  diffused  papal  doc- 
trine of  transubstantiation,  and  from  a  general  mis- 
conception of  the  Apostle's  reproof  of  the  Corinthians, 
for  their  irregularities.  This  part  of  the  subject  will 
be  considered  hereafter. 

Perhaps,  however,  at  the  root  of  all  these  excuses, 
there  is  an  unsuspected,  secret  unwillingness  of  heart. 
Men  have  often  a  feeling  of  this  kind  :  It  would  dis- 
turb their  quiet,  make  them  uneasy  in  their  mind,  and 
hinder  them  from  enjoying  the  pleasure  that  they  are 
wont  to  take  in  their  sins.  Let  every  one  who  ne- 
glects the  Lord's  Supper,  examine  this  point  well  ! 

From  the  whole,  we  may  conclude  that  there  is 
nothino-  to  discourao;e  the  penitent  believer  from 
a  constant  and  invariable  attendance  at  this  table. 
The  duty  is  manifest,  and  the  advantage  great  and 
evident. 

And  on  the  other  hand,  those  living  in  the  love 
and  practice  of  sin,  may  here  see  the  grievous  state 
to  which  their  conduct  reduces  them.  You  are  afraid 
of  going  to  the  Lord's  table,  lest  you  should  eat  and 
drink  damnation ;  but  have  you  no  reason  to  be 
afraid  of  the  consequences  of  disobeying  a  plain 
command,  by  staying  away  ?  Your  sins  reduce  you 
to  a  sad  dilemma  of  danger.  Nothing  can  deliver 
you  from  it  but  speedy  repentance  towards  God,  and 
faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  There  is  no  safety  to 
any  living  soul,  but  in  fleeing  to  him  who  is  able  to 


G- 


■O 


o- c 

ANSWERS    TO    EXCUSES.  99 

save  /  Let  me  then  earnestly  and  affectionately  en- 
treat all  such  readers  to  examine  their  own  hearts,  to 
ascertain  without  delay  their  true  state  before  God, 
heartily  to  repent  of  their  sins,  and  seek  the  salvation 
of  the  gospel.  Then,  when  they  have  expeiienced  a 
real  change  of  heart,  when  they  are  born  again  of 
God's  Spirit,  and  have  a  gxd  hope  through  grace, 
they  will  come  and  receive  the  Lord's  Supper,  not 
only  without  danger  and  reluctance,  but  with  the 
greatest  comfort  and  advantage. 

We  will  conclude  this  chapter  in  the  animating 
words  of  Bishop  Patrick. 

"  Let  no  man  therefore  plead  this  or  that,  in  excuse 
for  his  not  coming  to  the  Lord's  table  ;  but  resolve 
hereafter  carefully  to  perform  so  necessary  a  duty. 
Let  the  sinner  quit  his  state  of  sin  and  death,  and  so 
come  and  eat  of  the  bread  of  life.  Let  the  ignorant 
come  into  the  school  of  Christ,  and  proceed  till  they 
come  to  the  highest  form,  to  the  upper  room,  where 
this  feast  is  celebrated.  Let  those  that  are  at  enmity 
with  their  neighbours  also  come  ;  let  them  only  first 
go  and  be  reconciled  to  their  brethren,  and  so  let 
them  offer  their  gift.  Let  those  that  have  a  multi- 
tude of  worldly  employments  come ;  only  let  them 
leave  them,  as  Abraham  did  his  asses,  at  the  bottom 
of  the  mount,  and  so  let  them  ascend  to  heaven  in 
their  thoughts,  and  converse  with  God.  Let  the 
weak  come,  that  they  may  grow  in  strength  ;  and  let 
the  strong  come,  that  they  may  not  grow  weak.  Let 
them  who  have  fears  come,  that  their  hearts  may  be 
settled  by  the  acts  of  a  more  lively  faith  ;  and  let 
them  come  who  have  hopes,  that  they  may  rise  to 
greater  degrees  of  humble  confidence.  Let  those 
who  have  leisure  accept  of  this  invitation,  because 

o o 


O . 0 

100  ANSWERS   TO    EXCUSES. 

they  have  no  excuse  ;  and  let  those  who  have  hut 
little  leisure  entertain  it  also,  that  they  may  the  more 
sanctify  their  business  and  their  employments.  Let 
the  sad  and  sorrowful  approach,  that  their  hearts  may 
be  filled  with  the  joys  of  the  Lord  ;  and  let  those 
that  rejoice  in  the  Lord  always  approach,  that  their 
joy  may  be  full." 


o o 


-o 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


ON    RECEIVING    UNWORTHILY. 


This  part  of  our  subject,  from  its  importance,  calls 
for  distinct  consideration.  The  timid  and  the  fearful 
are  either  deterred  from  a  most  valuable  means  of 
grace,  by  needless  fears  and  scruples,  or  come  with 
suspicions,  anxiety  and  distress.  The  careless  and 
worldly  approach  without  hesitation  the  most  solemn 
rite  of  our  holy  religion,  and  make  that  service  which 
only  hardens  their  hearts,  and  fills  them  with  pride 
and  self-righteousness,  a  sort  of  passport  to  heaven ; 
while  a  large  body  of  professing  Christians  think  the 
danger  of  receiving  unworthily  a  sufficient  reason 
for  not  coming  at  all. 

The  passage  of  Scripture  on  which  the  fears  of 
men  are  principally  founded,  occurs  in  the  1st  of  Co- 
rinthians, xi.  27-29. —  Whosoever  shall  eat  this  bread, 
and  drink  this  cup  of  the  Lord  unworthily,  shall  he 
guilty  of  the  body  and  blood  of  the  Lord. — He  that  eat- 
eth  and  drinketh  unworthily,  eateth  and  drinkeih  damna- 
tion to  himself,  not  discerning  the  Lord's  body. 

The  sin  of  the  Corinthians  had  been  before  particu- 
larly specified.  In  eating,  every  one  taketh  before 
other  his  own  supper  :  and  one  is  hungry,  and  another  is 
drunken.  What  f  have  ye  not  houses  to  eat.  and  to  drink 
in  ?  or  despise  ye  the  church  of  God,  and  shame  them 
that  have  not  ?  What  shall  I  say  to  you  ?  Shall  I  praise 
you  in  this  ?    I  praise  you  not. 

o o 

9* 


9 


-o 


102 


ON    RECEIVING    UNWORTHILY. 


You  may  here  see  what  grievous  and  open  dis- 
orders had  crept  into  the  Corinthian  church,  and  need 
not  wonder  at  the  strong  expressions  of  the  Apostle, 
describing  the  danger  of  their  sin.  They  slighted 
the  sacred  rite  which  represented  the  Saviour's  death ; 
made  no  difference  between  it  and  a  common  meal ; 
and  were  guilty  of  excesses,  even  at  the  very  time  of 
its  celebration.  The  way  in  which  the  Lord's  Supper 
is  now  administered  among  us,  renders  such  a  glaring 
abuse  of  it  impracticable,  though  it  be  still  possible, 
in  our  temper  and  spirit,  to  fall  into  a  measure  of  the 
same  guilt. 

It  may  be  first  expedient  to  show,  what  is  not 
RECEIVING  UNWORTHILY.  He  does  not  necessarily 
receive  unworthily,  who  strongly  feels  his  unworthi- 
ness  ;  nor  does  it  follow  that  he  must  have  received 
unworthily,  whose  faith  is  weak.  There  may  be 
many  doubts  and  fears,  much  trepidation  and  anxiety, 
and  yet  the  heart  be  in  the  main  right  with  God ;  and 
those  distressing  feelings  may  only  arise  from  not 
fully  understanding  the  riches  of  Christ,  and  the 
liberty  of  his  gospel.  Nor  yet  does  it  show  this,  if 
we  feel  the  power  of  indwelling  sin ;  St.  Paul  could 
say.  In  me,  that  is,  in  myjlesh,  dwelleth  no  good  thing. 
This  feast  is  not  for  angels,  but  for  men  encompassed 
with  infirmities.  A  coldness  and  dulness  in  our 
duties,  which  we  lament,  does  not  of  itself  show  that 
we  receive  unworthily.  Some  are  naturally  dull 
and  heavy  ;  but,  if  there  he  first  a  willing  mind,  it  is 
accepted  according  to  what  a  man  hath,  and  not  ac- 
cording to  what  he  hath  not.  Some  think  a  mere  re- 
membrance of  an  injury,  though  without  ill  will ; 
or  many  worldly  troubles  ;  or  the  hatred  of  some 
one :    or  if  their  hearts  have    been    little   moved  or 


-O 


o o 

ON    RECEIVING    UNWORTHILY.  103 

affected  during  the  solemnity ;  or  if  they  have  been 
then  much  harassed  and  tempted, — that  they  have 
therefore  received  unworthily  :  but  this  by  no  means 
follows,  as  this  chapter,  and  various  parts  of  this 
Treatise  will  sufficiently  prove.  Nor  yet,  if  after- 
ward we  fall  into  sin  or  difficulty,  does  it  neces- 
sarily show  that  unworthy  receiving  was  the  cause. 
Anxious  minds  often  distress  themselves  needlessly  on 
these  points.  \ 

The  word  unworthily  means,  as  the  context 
plainly  shows,  in  an  unbecoming  and  unsuitable 
way;  not  with  that  design  with  which  this  feast  was 
instituted  by  Christ,  nor  in  a  manner  agreeable  to  its 
importance  and  dignity.* 

As  it  respects  indeed  the  persons  who  receive, 
those  who  are  living  in  wilful  and  allowed  sin,  those 
who  are  impenitent,  and  have  not  sought  the  mercy 
of  God,  as  poor  and  perishing  sinners,  by  faith  in 
Christ  Jesus,  have  no  suitable  qualifications,  and  no 
scriptural  encouragements  to  go  to  the  table  of  the 
Lord.  Our  Liturgy  justly  tells  them,  "  Repent  you 
of  your  sins,  or  else  come  not  to  that  holy  table." 

He  who  makes  no  difference  between  the  sacra- 
ment and  a  common  meal,  ^vho  looks  not  through  the 
outward  emblems,  and  does  not  by  faith  regard  them 
as  figures  of  the  Saviour's  body  and  blood,  who  trusts 
not  in  Christ's  death,  and  has  no  love  to  him,  and 
whose  tempers  towards  his  fellow  creatures  are  un- 
forgiving and  malignant, — he  discerns  not  the  Lord's 
body,  and  receives  unworthily. 

Nor  is  this  a  slight  sin,  with  trivial  consequences  ; 

*  ava^iws  non  eo  consilio,  quo  hoc  epulum  aChristo  est  insti- 
tutum,  modo  non  conveniente  dignitati  et  gravitati  rei. 

Schleusner. 

Q _ 6 


o- o 

104  ON    RECEIVING    UNWORTHILY. 

— o-reat  o-uilt  is  contracted,  and  severe  afflictions 
follow. 

Great  guilt  is  contracted.  They  are  guilty  of  the 
body  and  Mood  of  the  Lord.  In  the  full  sense  of  the 
terms,  this  was  the  guilt  of  the  Jews  who  crucified 
the  Lord ;  in  a  secondary  sense,  of  those  nominal 
Christians  who  apostatize  from  the  truth.  But  a 
measure  even  of  this  awful  guilt,  may  be  contracted 
by  unworthily  receiving  the  Lord's  Supper.  A  per- 
son may  thus  manifest  a  contempt  of  the  sacrifice  of 
Christ,  and  be  chargeable  with  a  dreadful  profanation 
of  that  sacred  institution  which  brings  it  to  our  view. 

If,  Christian  reader,  you  would  shudder  at  the  idea 
of  imbruing  your  hands  in  the  Saviour's  blood,  guard 
against  any  approach  to  so  foul  an  iniquity.  True  it 
is,  that  even  this  is  not  unpardonable ;  for  many 
even  of  the  murderers  of  our  Lord  repented  and 
were  saved.  But  surely  no  Christian  can  voluntarily 
slight  the  Saviour  in  the  greatest  instance  o^  his  love, 
with  the  notion  that  his  amazing  goodness  may  yet 
pardon  this  sin.  When  the  question  is  asked,  "  Shall 
we  continue  in  sin,  that  grace  may  ahoimd  ?  he  will 
ever  reply  with  the  holy  Apostle,  God  forbid  f 

Severe  afflictions  have  sometimes  followed 
THIS  GUILT.  The  unworthy  receiver  eateth  and  drink- 
eth  damnation  to  himself  The  term  indeed  means 
not,  as  some  have  needlessly  distressed  themselves 
by  supposing  it  does,  eternal  ruin  :  but  it  does  imply 
the  condemnation  of  their  heavenly  Father,  the  divine 
displeasure  and  anger.  That  the  Apostle  means 
thus  much,  with  temporal  chastisements  for  their  sin, 
is  evident  from  what  he  afterwards  says — For  this 
cause  many  are  weak  and  sickly  among  you,  and  many 
sleep.  For  if  we  would  judge  ourselves,  we  should  not 
O O 


0 .„-_ . -.-    ,^,-      ,...,..  .,.■..,...,-  ■-.  ,-     ...„., 0 

ON    RECEIVING   UNWORTHILY.  105 

he  judged;  but  when  we  are  judged,  we  are  chastened 
of  the  Lord,  that  We  should  not  he  condemned  with  the 
■world.  The  Corinthians,  perhaps,  might  attribute 
their  sicknesses,  and  the  deaths  happening  arrtong 
them,  to  various  natural  causes ;  but  an  inspired 
Apostle  tells  them  that  these  were  sent  upon  them  for 
their  profariation  of  the  Lord's  Supper.  Nay,  we 
must  go  farther,  and  say,  that  supposing  a  person  to 
continue  to  receive  unworthily,  instead  of  gaining  any 
benefit,  his  heart  will  only  become  more  hardened, 
and  his  soul  in  danger  of  eternal  rUin.  Indeed,  hovv- 
ever  justly  we  may  soften  the  words  eateth  and  drink- 
eth  damnation,  into  judgment  or  condemnation,  there  is 
still  quite  enough  in  them  to  deter  the  careless  and 
presumptuous  from  heedlessly  coming  to  this  table. 

But  some  may  ask,  How  shall  I  avoid  this  danger  ? 
We  add  the  following  directions. 

Receive  not  ignorantly.  The  Corinthians  par- 
took of  the  elements  without  discerning  the  Lord's 
body.  Those  err  in  a  similar  way,  who  do  not  con- 
sider the  great  etid  designed  in  the  Lord's  Supper, 
and  do  not  look  through  the  sign  to  the  thing  signi- 
fied ;  as  do  those  also  who  do  not  regard  the  sacrifice 
of  the  death  of  Christ,  but  go  in  a  self-righteoUs  spirit, 
as  if  they  were  performing  a  rrteritorious  duty.  Do 
you  then  seek  to  understand  the  design  of  this  ordi- 
nance, and  to  have  right  views  of  the  atonement  of 
Christ. 

Receive  not  irreverently.  We  are  not  indeed  in 
danger  now,  of  those  tumultuous  and  irregular  prac- 
tices which  prevailed  at  Corinth  ;  but  is  there  not,  in 
the  minds  of  some,  a  want  of  reverence  and  holy 
awe  '^  Do  we  not  sometimes  come  in  a  light  and 
careless  frame  of  mind,  if  not  with  an  impenitent 
O O 


Q — _. Q 

106  ON    RECEIVING   UNWORTHILY. 

heart  ?  As  there  is  clanger  on  one  side  of  an  excess 
of  fear  destroying  the  love  and  freedom  of  the  child, 
so  there  is  on  the  other  of  failing  in  that  due  rever- 
ence, which  is  so  suited  to  the  state  of  sinful  and 
dependant  creatures,  in  all  their  dealings  with  their 
great  Creator. 

Receive  not  uncharitably.  The  rich  Corinthians 
did  not  impart  of  their  provisions  to  their  poorer 
brethren,  and  thus  were  evidently  deficient  in  chris- 
tian love.  If  we  also  entei'taln  a  haughty,  injurious, 
and  unforgiving  spirit  towards  any  human  being,  and 
especially  towards  any  of  our  Christian  brethren,  we 
have  a  temper  directly  contrary  to  the  spirit  of  this 
ordinance,  and  we  shall  receive  in  an  unsuitable  way. 
See  that  ye  love  one  another  with  a  pure  heart  fervently. 

Receive  not  with  a  carnal  mind.  The  Corin- 
thians made  their  meeting  together  an  occasion  for 
excess  and  intemperance.  Modern  habits  preclude 
this.  Yet  we  may  also  receive  with  a  carnal  mind : 
many  worldly  passions  may  be  at  work ;  such  as 
looking  to  see  who  is  there  ;  observing  their  dress  and 
appearance,  and  forming  worldly  designs,  when  we 
ought  to  be  engaged  in  the  solemnity.  The  same 
carnal  mind  leads  us  to  look  only  at  the  outward 
service,  receiving  without  spirituality  of  heart,  and 
without  looking  to,  or  confiding  in  Christ  the  Lord. 

By  giving  these  directions,  it  is  not  implied  that  any 
unhallowed  or  lamented  ignorance,  irreverence,  want 
of  charity,  or  of  spirituality,  constitute  the  sin  of 
unworthy  receiving ;  but  if  these  things  are  habitual 
and  allowed,  undoubtedly  we  have  reason  to  fear  that 
we  have,  in  some  measure,  imbibed  the  spirit  of  that 
sin  for  which  the  Apostle  reproved  the  Corinthians, 
and  should,  without  delay,  seek  for  pardoning  mercy, 

o . o 


) . . . o 

ON    RECEIVING   UNWORTHILY.  107 

and  come  afresh  and  in  a  better  spirit,  to  the  Lord's 
Table.  Nor  need  we  despair  of  forgiveness  and 
restoration.  It  is  one  part  of  the  gracious  character 
of  our  beloved  Redeemer,  that  he  remedies  the  mis- 
takes and  the  rashness  of  his  faithful  followers.  St. 
Peter,  intending  to  do  his  Saviour  some  service,  rashly 
presumed  to  cut  off  the  ear  of  the  servant  of  the  High 
Priest,  and  might  have  greatly  injured  the  cause  of 
Christ;  but  his  power  and  love  applied  an  imme- 
diate remedy.  Even  these  Corinthians,  though  so 
justly  and  severely  reproved  by  the  Apostle  for  their 
former  profane  manner  of  communicating,  yet  so  far 
from  being  dissuaded  from  coming  again,  must  be 
supposed  to  be  individually  addressed  in  those  words, — 
Let  a  man  examine  himself,  and  so  let  him  cat  of  that 
bread,  and  drink  of  that  cup.  For,  though  there  be 
danger  of  unworthy  receiving,  there  is  a  yet  greater 
danger  in  wilfully  neglecting  this  ordinance.  It  is 
always  better  to  discharge  a  duty,  even  though  it  be 
done  defectively,  than  to  neglect  it  altogether.  We 
find  Hezekiah,  when  there  were  many  of  the  people 
of  Israel  who  ate  the  passover  "  otherwise  than  it  was 
written,"  not  being  able,  from  the  pressure  of  the 
time,  to  cleanse  themselves,  (2  Chron.  xxx.  18,)  con- 
fidently pleading  in  their  behalf.  It  was  the  saying 
of  a  truly  pious  woman,  "  She  had  rather  spoil  ten 
duties,  than  omit  one."  Let  no  threatenings  against 
the  minglings  of  sin  with  the  discharge  of  your  duty, 
lead  you  to  neglect  that  duty,  but  rather  lead  you  to 
a  more  conscientious  and  faithful  discharge  of  the 
will  of  God. 


6 6 


o- 


CHAPTER  IX. 

ON  THE  BENEFITS  CONNECTED  WITH  A  DUE  RECEPTION 
OF  THE  lord's  SUPPER. 

The  performance  of  each  of  the  duties  to  which 
our  Lord  calls  his  people,  is  attended  with  many  ad- 
vantages :  as  it  regards  all  his  statutes,  in  keeping  of 
them  there  is  great  reicarcl.  it  is  so  in  this  duty. 
While  he  calls  us  to  remember  him,  to  show  forth  his 
death,  and  to  manifest  our  expectation  of  his  coming 
again  ;  in  the  faithful  discharge  of  this  duty,  our 
souls  obtain  the  most  important  benefits. 

It  is  the  general  mistake  of  a  mere  outward  pro- 
fessor  of  religion,  and  one  to  which  our  fallen  nature, 
even  in  the  best  of  men,  has  a  continual  tendency, 
to  put  the  means  of  grace  in  the  place  of  grace  itself. 
Thus  if  the  nominal  Christian  reads  the  Scriptures, 
he  congratulates  himself  on  having  performed  a  work 
of  piety,  without  considering  that  they  should  mainly 
be  read  as  the  means  of  conforming  the  soul  to  the 
divine  image  ;  of  quickening  and  directing  it  in  the 
good  vv  ays  of  God.  So  if  he  prays  to  God,  he  rests 
in  self-satisfaction  with  the  mere  act  of  prayer,  with- 
out regarding  it  in  its  true  light,  as  a  principal  means 
of  obtaining  help  from  God  for  our  many  spiritual 
necessities.  The  same  dangerous  mistake  is  made 
by  such  persons  respecting  the  Lord's  Supper.  They 
are  ready  to  suppose  that  when  they  have  prepared 
for  it  by  a  course  of  duties,  and  have  received  it  in 

o — o 


o — _ , 5 

ON  A  DUE  RECEPTION  OF  THE  LORD's  SUPPER.   109 

the  appointed  way,  that  then  they  have  done  all  that 
is  required,  forgetting  that  it  is  a  means  for  a  further 
end — advancement  in  piety. 

The  view  of  its  benefits  may  be  comprehended 
under  the  general  term,  a  means  of  grace  ;  a  method 
appointed  of  God  for  communicating  his  grace,  whe- 
ther it  refer  to  the  actual  enjoyment,  or  the  due  im- 
provement of  that  grace. 

It  is  not  indeed  appointed  as  a  means  to  convey 
grace  merely  by  the  outward  receiving  of  it,  with- 
out suitable  dispositions,  and  as  a  sort  of  charm. 
Neither  are  we  to  suppose  God  will  pardon  or  save 
any,  for  their  mere  coming  to  it.  "  God  does  not 
seem  to  have  bound  himself  to  this  or  any  other  ordi- 
nance in  such  a  manner,  that  the  immediate  influ- 
ences of  his  grace  should  necessarily  be  connected 
with  it.  We  cannot  say  that  he  has  thus  invariably 
tied  himself  to  it,  nor  does  experience  agree  with  such 
a  notion  ;  but,  in  a  regular  attendance  upon  it,  we 
may  expect  that  God  will  meet  and  bless  us."  The 
same  thing  is  manifest  in  the  preaching  of  the  gospel, 
which  has  no  power  in  itself;  but  God  has  appointed 
it,  and  blesses  his  own  appointment  as  he  sees  fit. 

It  may  be  considered  with  reference  to  its  bringing 
to  our  recollection  a  past  transaction,  and  its  being  a 
means  of  ^-^th  enjoying  benefits  at  the  present  time, 
and  furnishing  a  pledge  of  future  blessings. 

1.  It  brings  to  our  recollection  a  past  transac- 
tion. It  deeply  impresses  on  our  hearts  the  fact 
of  the  death  of  Christ  for  sin  ;  an  event  which  it  is 
of  the  utmost  moment  that  we  should  never  forget ; 
an  event  which  can  never  be  affectionately  remem- 
bered by  the  Christian  without  much  advantage. 
We  have  seen  that  the  bread  and  wine  are  apt  figures 

O ■ O 

10 


0 _o 

110  ON    A    DUE    RECEPTION 

of  the  Saviour's  body  which  was  broken,  and  of  his 
blood  which  was  shed  for  us.  What  is  made  visible 
and  tangible,  and  obvious  to  all  our  senses,  has  natu- 
rally a  greater  effect  upon  us  than  what  is  merely 
addressed  to  our  understanding,  or  only  treasured  up 
in  our  memory.  We  are  indeed  too  apt  to  rest  in 
the  outward  sign,  so  that  it  was  desirable  that  the 
sign  should  only  be  such  a  resemblance  as  might 
direct  our  minds  to  the  thing  signified  ;  and  for  this 
end  the  emblems  here  used  are  peculiarly  adapted. 

By  this  sacrament,  then,  the  remembrance  of  our 
Saviour's  death  is  preserved  with  all  its  freshness  in 
our  minds ;  and  the  blessings  connected  with  that  re- 
membrance are  thus  bestowed  upon  us.  It  was  not 
that  he  might  gain  our  admiration  and  praise,  that  our 
Lord  appointed  this  ordinance ;  he  needs  not  honour 
from  man,  for  all  the  hosts  of  heaven  worship  him. 
But  by  this  representation  of  his  death,  we  ourselves 
are  both  edified  and  comforted.  "  Come  here,"  says 
Henry,  "  and  see  the  victories  of  the  cross.  Christ's 
wounds  are  thy  healing,  his  agonies  thy  repose,  his 
conquests  thy  conflicts,  his  groans  thy  songs,  his  pains 
thine  ease,  his  shame  thy  glory,  his  death  thy  life,  his 
sufferings  thy  salvation."  And  do  not  such  recollec- 
tions tend  to  produce  mingled  emotions  of  holy  sorrow 
and  joy,  cordial  hatred  of  sin,  and  ardent  love  to 
Christ  ?  We  might  enlarge  on  this  part  of  the  sub- 
ject, had  it  not  been  in  some  measure  anticipated  in 
the  preceding  chapter,  on  the  Design  of  this  Institu- 
tion. 

2.  We  should,  however,  have  only  a  very  inade- 
quate view  of  its  benefits,  if  we  merely  considered 
those  which  it  has  a  natural  tendency  to  produce,  in 
bringing  to  our  recollection  the  death  of  Christ ;    it 
O O 


Q . _^ 0 

OF    THE    lord's    SUPPER.  Ill 

must  be  regarded  as  a  divinely-appointed  means  of 

ENJOYING    spiritual    BLESSINGS    AT    THE    PRESENT  TIME. 

"  Its  chief  excellence  is,  that  it  is  not  only  a  figure 
and  resemblance  of  our  living  on  a  crucified  Saviour, 
but  also  a  precious  instrument  whereby  Christ,  the 
bread  and  drink  of  life,  is  really  conveyed  to  us,  and 
received  by  us  through  faith.  Hereby  God  exhibits 
and  gives  forth  Christ  and  his  salvation  to  true  be- 
lievers, and  stirs  up  and  strengthens  them  to  receive 
and  feed  upon  Christ,  by  present  actings  of  faith,  while 
they  partake  of  the  outward  elements." 

The  Apostle,  speaking  on  this  subject,  states.  The 
cup  of  blessing  *  which  we  hiess,  is  it  not  the  communion 
of  the  blood  of  Christ  ?  The  bread  which  we  break,  is 
it  not  the  communion  of  the  body  of  Christ  ?  For  we 
being  many  are  one  bread-,  and.  one  body  ;  for  we  are  all 
partakers  of  that  one  bread,  I  Cor.  x.  16,  17.  This 
passage  will  furnish  us  with  a  scriptural  guide  as  to 
the  benefits  to  be  expected  at  the  Lord's  Table.  By 
communion  (^xoivojna,'^  is  meant  a  participation,  a  com- 
munication or  enjoyment  of  the  body  and  blood  of 
Christ. 

In  order  then  rightly  to  discern  the  benefits  which 
we  obtain,  we  must  consider  what  were  the  blessings 
obtained  for  us  by  the  incarnation  and  death  of  Christ. 
His  death  obtained  our  pardon  ;  his  blood  being  shed 

*  The  sacramental  cup  seems  called  the  cup  of  blessing,  in 
allusion  to  the  cup  of  wine  used  after  the  passover,  to  which 
the  Jews  gave  this  name.  They  called  it  so  on  account  of  the 
general  blessing  of  God's  providence,  and  of  their  redemption 
from  Egypt.  Christians  have  far  more  reason  to  call  it  the  cup 
of  blessing,  as  commemorating  infinitely  greater  benefits.  This 
cup  is  blessed,  as  it  is  set  apart  and  consecrated  to  a  holy  use, 
even  to  be  a  memorial  and  symbol  of  the  blood  of  Christ. 

o '      6 


0— — ■ — " — — = o 

112  ON   A    DUE    RECEPTION 

for  the  remission  of  sins.  Through  that  blood  we  ob- 
tain the  blessing  of  justification,  and  are  accounted 
righteous  before  God  :  Being  justified  by  his  blood,  we 
shall  be  saved  from  wrath  through  him.  The  same  sa- 
crifice procures  our  peace,  as  St.  Paul  shows  at  length, 
Eph.  ii.  13-17.  Again,  we  receive  the  'promise  of  the 
SPIRIT,  through  faith  in  him,  Gal.  iii.  14  ;  John  vii.  39. 
The  gift  of  ETERNAL  LIFE  also  comes  in  the  same  Way 
— God  hath  given  us  eternal  life,  and  this  life  is  in  his 
Son.  These,  with  many  other  blessings  which  might 
be  mentioned,  we  obtain  by  the  death  of  Christ. 

The  real  believer,  through  the  mercy  of  God,  in  the 
right  reception  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  has  the  present 
enjoyment  of  those  benefits  which  were  obtained  by  the 
sacrifice  of  Christ,  and  the  strengthening  of  those 
graces,  in  the  exercise  of  which  that  enjoyment  is 
communicated.  Thus  the  Lord's  Supper  is  calculated 
to  give  him  an  assured  hope  that  the  blessings  of  re- 
demption belong  to  him,  as  well  as  to  increase  his 
faith,  and  to  advance  his  sanctification.  It  also  affords 
him  many  social  advantages.  But,  remember,  that 
every  blessing  obtained  here,  as  well  as  elsewhere, 
comes  from  the  mercy  of  God  alone,  and  through  the 
influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit  freely  given  according  to 
his  own  grace.  If  we  depend  only  on  the  means,  we 
may  lose  the  blessing.  If  we  use  the  means,  looking 
up  to  the  Lord  for  his  promised  grace  therein,  v/e  shall 
most  probably  obtain  the  spiritual  good  which  we  de- 
sire, for  the  means  are  both  adapted  and  appointed  to 
produce  that  good. 

The  believer  may  obtain  here  an  assuiJed  hope  that 

THE   BLESSINGS    OF    REDEMPTION    BELONG    TO    HIM.*       To 

*  Our  Church  leads  those  who  worship  according  to  her 
ritujil  to  sav  of  the  due  reception  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  to  our 

o ^ o 


)_ o 

OF  THE  lord's  SUPPER.  113 

have  the  communion  of  the  body  and  blood  of  Christ 
is,  in  truth,  to  have  pardon,  justification,  peace,  the 
Holy  Spirit,  the  gift  of  eternal  life,  and  all  spiritual 
blessings  in  heavenly  things  in  Christ  Jesus.  The 
Apostle's  question  in  the  passage  already  quoted,  (1 
Cor.  X.  16,  17.)  shows  that  the  Lord's  Supper  both  re- 
presents and  is  a  divinely-appointed  means  for  believers 
having  that  communion.  By  the  exercise  of  faith  at 
the  Lord's  table,  therefore,  we  have  the  blessings  of 
redemption  assured  to  us,  and  thus  really  partake  of 
his  body  and  blood  in  that  way  in  which  only  they  can 
be  received.*  When  in  a  journey  on  a  winter's  day, 
we  are  favoured  with  a  clear  sky  and  a  shining  sun, 
we  say,  "  We  have  the  sun  with  us :"  by  which  we 
mean  the  light,  warmth,  and  comfort  of  his  beams ;  so 
when  the  Apostle  says  we  have  the  communion  of  the 
body  and  blood  of  Christ,  in  the  Lord's  Supper,  he 
shows  that  herein  the  benefits  of  his  sacrifice  are  en- 
joyed by  us.  As  certainly  as  the  true  believer  takes 
the  bread  and  wine,  and  feeds  on  them  in  remembrance 
of  Christ's  death,  so  assuredly  do  the  spiritual  blessings 
obtained  by  that  sacrifice  belong  to  him  ;  and  the  very 
ordinance  is  calculated  to  give  him  this  happy  assu- 

Heavenly  Father — "  Thou  dost  assure  us  thereby  of  thy  favour 
and  goodness  towards  us."  See  Observations  on  this  Prayer, 
chap.  V.  part  ii.  of  this  Treatise. 

*  In  the  Catechism  it  is  asserted,  that  "  the  body  and  blood 
of  Christ  are  verily  and  indeed  taken  and  received  by  the  faith- 
ful in  the  Lord's  Supper;"  but  the  emphatic  word  faithful 
shows  that  they  are  not  corporeally  but  only  spiritually  re- 
ceived. If  the  real  participation  of  the  actual  body  and  blood 
of  Christ  had  been  intended,  "  the  unfaithful,  although  un- 
worthy communicants,  would  equally  have  been  partakers  of 
the  body  and  blood  of  Christ." 


o- 


114  ON   A   DUE    RECEPTION 

ranee  of  faith.  It  has  been  well  remarked,*  "  Here 
we  often,  like  Moses  from  Mount  Pisgah,  get  extended 
views  of  the  promised  land.  Here  the  mourning  saints 
find  joy,  the  weary  rest,  the  dejected  encouragement, 
and  the  strong  increasing  confidence.  Here  the  spirit 
of  faith  applies  the  atonement,  and  the  sense  of  recon- 
ciliation fills  our  souls  with  joy  unspeakable,  and  full  of 
glory.  Christ  intends  his  people  should  be  comforted, 
should  abound  in  all  spiritual  joy,  and  come  to  a  feast, 
where  gladness  is  sown  for  the  upright  in  heart.''  In 
partaking  of  this  feast,  our  souls  are  strengthened  and 
refreshed  by  new  views  of  our  interest  in  Christ,  and 
a  fresh  and  lively  communion  with  him.f 

It  is,  however,  by  no  means  intended  to  be  stated 
that  these  comforts  are  invariably  connected  with  the 
right  reception  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  or  that  the  com- 
municant has  not  acceptably  received  it,  who  has  not 
felt  this  full  assurance  of  hope  :  (Heb.  vi.  11.)  all  we 
intend  is,  that  it  is  a  blessing  which  the  ordinance  is 
designed  and  calculated  to  communicate,  and  which 
believers  do,  in  favoured  seasons,  experience.  But 
where  so  full  a  blessing  is  not  given,  there  are  yet 
benefits  which  are  more  generally  and  more  constant- 
ly obtained.  Thus  faith,  which  is  the  very  root  of  an 
assured  hope,  and  the  spirit  of  holiness,  which  is  the 
only  certain  or  safe  evidence  that  our  hope  is  well- 
grounded,  are  here  greatly  nourished  and  strength- 
ened. 

The  grace  of  faith,  the  root  of  all  other  graces,  is 
specially  assisted  and  increased  by  a  due  partaking 

*  See  Haweis'  Spiritual  Communicant, 
t  The  subject  of  communion  with  Christ,  as  one  especial 
benefit  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  demands  distinct  consideration, 
and  will  be  noticed  in  a  subsequent  chapter. 

o o 


o 1 

OF  THE  lord's  SUPPER.  115 

of  the  Lord's  Supper ;  for  this  institution  is  not  only 
the  outward  sign  of  the  Christian's  feeding  on  Christ 
through  faith,  but  a  most  efficacious  means  to  help  us 
to  grow  in  this  vital  principle  of  the  Christian's  life. 
We  must  have,  indeed,  the  beginning  of  faith,  (if  I 
may  use  the  expression,)  before  we  go.  But  faith  is 
a  grace  of  different  degrees  of  strength.  There  is  a 
little,  a  weak,  and  a  strong  faith  ;  and  the  weak  in  faith 
must  be  received  as  a  Christian  brother,  and  in  time 
his  faith  may  become  strong. 

The  whole  service  here  is  peculiarly  calculated  to 
strengthen  our  faith  in  Christ,  the  only  Saviour.  Bishop 
Taylor  remarks,  "  Though  we  are  to  believe  before 
we  receive  these  symbols  of  Christ's  death,  yet,  as  by 
loving  we  love  more,  and  by  the  acts  of  patience  we 
increase  in  the  spirit  of  mortification  ;  so,  by  believing, 
we  believe  more,  and  by  publication  of  our  confession, 
we  are  made  confident."  The  ordinance  leads  us 
throughout  to  fix  our  minds  stedfastly  and  deliberately 
on  Jesus  Christ,  and  him  crucified,  the  proper  object 
of  our  faith  ;  and  all  things  tend  to  beget  the  fullest 
confidence  in  the  grace  of  Christ,  and  the  love  of  our 
heavenly  Father. 

The  Lord's  Supper  also  tends  to  promote  our  sanc- 
TiFicATiON.  This  is  a  point  of  vast  importance,  and 
one  to  which  all  that  are  in  the  habit  of  attending  re- 
gularly  at  its  celebration,  will  cordially  give  testimony. 
What  Christian  has  not  found  the  blood  of  Christ,  as 
here  manifested  and  applied,  purging  the  conscience 
from  dead  works,  to  serve  the  living  God  ;  the  death  of 
Christ  becoming  the  spring  of  love,  gratitude,  and  holy 
obedience  ?  In  a  believing  and  vivid  recollection  of 
his  atonement,  the  supply  of  the  Spirit  of  Christ  is 
largely  given,  both  to  subdue   our  corruptions    and 

o o 


116  ON    A    DUE    RECEPTION 

strengthen  our  graces.  Our  separation  from  worldly 
vanities  thus  becomes  more  easy  and  more  resolute, 
and  our  devotion  to  God  more  steady  and  more  decided. 
It  has  been  illustrated  by  the  advantages  of  a  lock  on 
a  canal ;  which  raises  the  vessel,  and  enables  it 
to  begin  a  new- course  on  a  higher  stream,  and  thus 
it  is  carried  over  what  would  otherwise  obstruct  its 
course. 

The  due  attendance  on  this  means  of  grace  will  be 
accompanied  by  a  manifest  growth  in  humility,  de- 
lighting in  God,  and  doing  good.  Our  spirit  will 
become  more  meek,  and  tender,  and  heavenly.  Just 
as  when  a  sick  man,  through  taking  a  medicine  ex- 
actly suited  to  his  disease,  begins  to  recover  from  his 
disorder  ;  his  appetite  returns,  his  recently  enervated 
limbs  are  renewed  with  fresh  strength,  his  lately 
pallid  cheeks  catch  again  the  glow  of  health,  he 
moves  about  afresh  with  freedom,  and  goes  to  his 
work  with  alacrity  and  vigour,  feeling  more  than  ever 
the  blessings  of  health,  from  having  been  confined  to 
his  habitation  and  his  sick  room :  so,  when  at  the 
Lord's  table,  we  receive  "  the  healthful  spirit  of  God's 
grace,"  we  hunger  and  thirst  after  righteousness,  we 
are  raised  up  to  new  vigour  in  the  spiritual  life,  we 
walk  again  with  God,  and  go  to  our  daily  duties  with 
fresh  zeal  and  devotion.  In  short,  all  those  holy  dis- 
positions which  mark  the  character  of  Christians,  are 
here  cherished  by  the  most  effective  motives.  Our 
sense  of  the  evil  of  sin  is  quickened,  our  penitence  is 
deepened,  and  our  love  to  the  Saviour,  and  those  for 
whom  he  died,  is  enlivened. 

Thus,  in  these  various  ways,  it  is  an  appointed 
means  of  obtaining  a  richer  enjoyment  of  spiritual 
benefits,  and  a  higher  assurance  that  they  belong  to 


) — o 

OF  THE  lord's  SUPPER.  117 

US,  and  when  rightly  used  the  blessing  attends  the 
means. 

The  blessings  of  which  we  have  spoken  are  indeed 
communicated  to  believers  in  prayer,  and  reading  and 
hearing  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  the  like ;  and  also 
in  the  exercise  of  grace  without  external  and  ordinary 
means ;  nor  is  God  confined  to  any  means  ;  but  let 
us  ever  remember  that  he  has  appointed  this  means 
also  ;  we  cannot  expect  his  blessing  in  any  thing  else, 
if  we  neglect  his  appointments  ;  and  it  is  practically 
found  by  humble  Christians,  to  be  a  most  efficacious 
way  of  gaining  spiritual  blessings. 

Christians  have  also  here  many  social  advan- 
tages.— They  have  the  benefit  of  communion  with 
their  fellow-Christians.  For  we  being  many  are  one 
bread,  for  w^are  all  partakers  of  that  one  bread.*  The 
formation  of  the  bread  and  of  the  wine  illustrate  the 
intimate  union  of  Christians.  As  the  loaf  is  formed 
of  many  once  separate  grains  of  wheat,  so  the  people 
of  Christ,  however  once  distinct  from  each  other, 
become  connected  together  by  the  uniting  bond  of  the 
Gospel,  in  the  most  intimate  and  close  union.  As 
the  wine  in  the  cup  is  formed  of  the  juice  of  many 
distinct  grapes,  which  are  all  blended  together,  and 
thus  the  various  juices  become  mingled  and  lost  in 
one:  so  are  the  once  distinct  and  varied  minds  and 
hearts  of  Christians  united  together  in  Christ  Jesus ; 
and  thus  they  have  fellowship  one  with  another. 

The  communion  of  saints  is  a  cheering  and  de- 
lightful subject,  tending,  the  more  it  is  practically 
considered  and  experimentally  felt,  to  draw  the  hearts 


*  The  term  ^«j  aproi,  rendered  one  bread,  may  be  rendered 
one  loaf,  describing  more  strikingly  the  union  of  Christians. 


■o 


0 . — p 

118  ON    A    DUE    RECEPTION 

of  Christians  nearer  to  each  other.  There  is  a  rela- 
tionship between  man  and  man,  effected  by  the  Gospel 
of  our  Saviour,  stronger  than  any  merely  earthly 
ties  ;  there  is  a  union,  closer  even  than  that  which 
subsists  in  the  members  of  the  same  body.  As  the 
body  is  one,  and  hath  tnany  memhers,  and  all  the  mem- 
bers of  that  one  body,  being  many,  are  one  body,  so  also 
is  Christ.  So  we,  being  many,  are  one  body  in  Christ, 
and  every  one  members  one  of  another.  The  head  of 
the  body  is  Christ ;  and  all  his  people,  whether  in 
heaven  or  in  earth,  are  members  of  that  body.  At 
the  Lord's  table  we  enjoy  this  communion.  The 
church  is  here  seen  as  a  compact  body.  We  gather 
courage  and  strength  from  the  sight  of  our  fellow- 
Christians.  Our  mutual  intercourse,  profession,  and 
devotion,  animate  and  stir  up  each  other:  One  holy 
sympathy  of  feeling  pervades  and  runs  through  the 
whole  company  of  devout  communicants.  We  be- 
come interested  in  each  other's  prayers ;  we  sympa- 
thize in  each  other's  sorrows  ;  we  partake  of  each 
other's  joys ;  we  are  travelling  the  same  road ;  we 
have  the  same  enemies  and  friends ;  the  same  diffi- 
culties  and  comforts ;  the  same  sorrows  and  joys. 
And  when  Christians  thus  meet  in  love,  who  will  not 
say — Behold,  how  good  and  how  pleasant  it  is  for 
brethren  to  dwell  together  in  unity  ! 

It  is  true,  that  this  communion,  as  well  as  the  bene- 
fits which  have  been  already  considered,  is  perceived 
in  other  means  of  grace  ;  in  the  intercourse  of  private 
life,  in  Christian  conversation,  in  mutual  prayer,  and 
the  exercises  of  charity ;  but  it  is  especially  and 
peculiarly  enjoyed  in  this  ordinance,  which  is  emi- 
nently calculated  to  unite  us  together,  as  showing  our 
common  dependence  on  the  death  of  the  same  Saviour, 
O O 


119 

our  common  participation  of  his  grace,  our  common 
hope  of  his  glory. 

3.  We  have  only  farther  to  notice  among  the 
benefits  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  that  a  right  reception 
of  it  is  a  PLEDGE,  earnest,  or  foretaste,  of  future 
BLESSINGS.  The  appointed  words  of  the  Institution — 
Take,  eat,  this  is  my  body,  which  is  given  for  you. — 
cannot  imply  less  than  that  the  true  believer,  when  he 
receives  the  sacred  elements,  receives  a  pledge  and 
assurance  of  the  favour  of  him  by  whose  appoint- 
ment these  words  are  addressed  to  him.  One  of  the 
reformers  says — "  By  commanding  us  to  take,  he  sig- 
nifies that  he  is  ours  :  by  commanding  us  to  eat  and 
drink,  he  signifies  that  he  is  become  one  with  us." 
As  the  rainbow  in  the  heavens  is  a  token  of  the  cove- 
nant between  God  and  the  earth,  that  he  will  no 
more  destroy  all  flesh  by  a  flood,  and  that  man  may 
multiply  and  replenish  the  earth :  so  this  ordinance 
may  be  to  us  as  a  token,  that  God  has,  by  a  better 
covenant,  provided  a  deliverance  for  us,  from  a  far 
worse  destruction,  and  obtained  for  us  a  heavenly 
inheritance.  The  very  appointment  of  this  institution 
by  our  gracious  Redeemer,  and  its  administration  to 
us  by  his  ministers,  as  they  assure  us  that  he  is  will- 
ing to  be  the  food  of  our  souls,  and  joined  to  us  as  a 
source  and  support  of  spiritual  life,  strength,  and  con- 
solation ;  so  they  afford  us  the  lively  hope  that  he 
will  never  leave  us  nor  forsake  us. 

Indeed,  when  holy  affections  are  here  excited,  and 
communion  with  Christ  and  his  people  here  enjoyed, 
these  things  manifest  that  we  have  received  that  gift 
of  the  Holy  Spirit,  which  is  the  earnest  of  our  inherit- 
ance. As  the  Lord's  Supper  is  peculiarly  calculated 
to    increase   faith,    hope,  and    love ;    so   if  you    can 

o ■ o 


0 _ = 0 

120  ON    A    DUE    RECEPTION 


thereby  trace  in  yourselves  stronger  evidences  of 
the  work  of  faith,  and  labour  of  love,  and  patience  of 
hope  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  your  confidence  will  be 
increased,  that  he  who  hath  begun  a  good,  work  in  you, 
will  perform  it  until  the  day  of  Jesus  Christ. 

We  have  seen  what  the  blessings  of  the  new  cove- 
nant are,  and  what  the  hope  of  glory  is  which  it  sets 
before  us.  Is  it  a  small  advantage  then,  to  have 
such  a  hope  strengthened  and  confirmed  by  this 
pledge  of  God's  favour  ?  Does  not  he  who  has  this 
hope,  purify  himself  as  he  is  pure  ? 

The  due  reception  of  the  Lord's  Supper  is  thus  one 
of  the  most  effective  means  of  preparation  for  the 
second  coming  of  Christ.  Never  are  we  more  ready 
for  the  immediate  presence  of  our  Lord,  than  when, 
with  a  broken  and  contrite  spirit,  with  a  lively  faith 
in  his  death,  with  ardent  gratitude  for  his  unspeakable 
mercies,  and  warm  love  to  our  fellow-creatures,  we 
have  been  remembering  Christ  at  his  table.  We 
come  from  it  kind,  gentle,  and  tender-hearted  ;  our 
souls  burn  with  the  pure  flame  of  holy  love  ;  we 
long  to  spend  our  whole  strength  in  our  Saviour's 
service  ;  we  delight  in  the  exercise  of  devotion,  and 
we  have  sensible  communion  with  the  Father  of 
Spirits  ;  in  short,  a  blessed  anticipation  and  foretaste 
of  the  future  bliss.  There  is  that  grace  imparted 
through  this  most  expressive  ministration  of  the  Gos- 
pel of  our  Saviour,  which  purifies  and  refines  us, 
makes  us  meet  for  the  heavenly  inheritance,  raises  us 
above  the  love  of  this  Avorld  and  the  fear  of  death, 
and  almost  inclines  us  to  adopt  Simeon's  words — 
Lord,  now  lettest  thou  thy  servant  depart  in  peace,  for 
mine  eyes  have  seen  thy  salvation.  It  is  only  the  Gos- 
pel that  is  efficacious  through  the  grace  of  God  to 
G -O 


OF  THE  lord's  SUPPER.  121 

sweeten  life,  and  console  in  death ;  to  make  us  happy 
here,  and  blessed  for  ever  hereafter :  and  no  where 
has  the  Christian  a  more  perceptible  and  lively  exhi- 
bition of  the  Gospel,  than  in  this  ordinance. 

It  may  be  useful  to  add  a  few  remarks  of  a  more 
general  nature  on  this  subject. 

The  reader  will  have  seen  that  all  those  blessings 
which  the  Scriptures  promise  to  faith  in  Christ,  and 
the  possession  of  Christ,  do  in  fact  belong  to  the  faith- 
ful communicant.  The  reason  is  obvious ;  no  one 
can  duly  receive  the  Lord's  Supper,  but  as  he  be- 
lieves in  Christ  and  rests  all  on  him.  "  Therefore,  all 
that  the  Scriptures  say  of  the  riches,  and  blessings, 
and  treasures,  which  faith  in  Christ,  as  our  Redeemer, 
can  procure  to  us ;  all  that  they  say  of  the  benefit 
of  that  faith  which  is  absolutely  required  by,  and  will 
be  exercised  in  the  due  reception  of  this  sacrament." 

Many  Christians  do  not  expect  enough  at  the 
Lord's  table,  and  thence  lose  much  of  the  benefits 
to  be  there  obtained.  We  should  have  a  large  ex- 
pectation, and  we  shall  receive  largely.  We  might 
justly  suppose  the  great  God  to  address  the  believing 
communicant.  Ask  ivhat  I  shall  give  thee  ;  (1  Kings 
iii.  5.)  and  to  urge  him  further.  Open  thy  mouth  wide, 
and  I  will  fill  it,  Psalm  Ixxxi.  10.  Here  we  may 
have  the  nearest  approaches  to  the  Divine  presence, 
that  our  state  in  this  world  admits.  The  church  may 
say  of  this  means  of  grace,  While  the  king  sitteth  at 
his  table,  my  spikenard  sendeth  forth  the  smell  thereof. 
Cant.  i.  12,  There  is  a  blessed  manifestation  of  the 
Divine  Presence  to  the  soul  to  be  here  expected. 
View  this  ordinance  in  its  true  blessedness  and  glory, 
and  you  will  justly  have  enlarged  views  of  the  bene- 
Q '. -     Q 

11 


o- 


122 


ON    A    DUE    KECEPTION 


fits  to  be  derived  from  it.  Real  believers  may  here 
look  for  abiding  peace  of  conscience,  strength  of 
grace,  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  overflowing  hopes 
of  future  blessedness.  "  It  is  therefore  a  fault  of 
many  to  come  rather  like  prisoners  to  the  bar,  than 
like  children  and  friends  to  the  table ;  they  come 
trembling  and  full  of  confusion.  Their  apprehension 
of  the  danger  of  receiving  unworthily  runs  into  an 
extreme,  so  as  to  become  an  hindrance  to  the  exercise 
of  faith,  hope,  and  love. 

To  what  has  been  said  respecting  the  benefits  of 
the  Lord's  Supper,  it  is,  as  has  already  been  curso- 
rily noticed,  sometimes  objected,  "  I  have  been  there 
several  times,  and  seemed  to  get  no  benefit."  This 
is  a  subject  which  calls  for  more  particular  consider- 
ation here,  as  it  may  remove  a  difficulty  from  the 
minds  of  humble  Christians,  and  make  those  who  are 
careless  and  worldly,  sensible  that  they  are  wrong. 

We  allow  that  all  who  partake  of  the  Lord's  Sup- 
per do  not  receive  these  blessings.  It  has  long  since 
been  stated  by  our  Church,  "  The  wicked,  and  such 
as  be  void  of  a  lively  faith,  although  they  do  carnally 
and  visibly  press  with  their  teeth,  as  St.  Augustine 
saith,  the  sacrament  of  the  body  and  blood  of  Christ ; 
yet  in  no  wise  are  they  partakers  of  Christ,  but  rather 
to  their  condemnation  do  eat  and  drink  the  sign  and 
sacrament  of  so  great  a  thing."  Those  also  who 
receive  it  merely  as  a  matter  of  form  or  custom,  or 
as  a  self-righteous  act  to  do  away  past  transgressions, 
without  any  real  hatred  of  sin,  faith  in  Christ,  or  love 
to  him  ;  and  with  perhaps  a  secret  reserve  that  they 
may  afterwards  go  on  more  freely  in  sin  ;  some  slight- 
ing it  as  a  common  matter,  and  others  over-estimating 
the   outward  service,  as   having  a  power  which  was 


O- 


-O 


OF    THE    LORD  S    SUPPER. 


123 


never  given  it,  of  atoning  for  their  sins ;  these  com- 
municants do  not  gain  the  benefits  which  have  been 
described,  just  as  a  formal  worshipper  gains  none  of 
the  blessings  of  true  prayer. 

Do  you  then  find  that  you  have  gained  no  benefit  ? 
Ask  yourself  a  few  questions  of  this  kind — Have  I 
ever  really  repented  of  my  sins  and  turned  to  God  ? 
If  you  have  no  spiritual  life,  you  are  not  in  a  state  to 
benefit  by  an  ordinance  which  is  designed  for  the 
Christian's  growth  and  nourishment.  Have  I  duly 
prepared  for  this  ordinance  ?  Perhaps  you  were  en- 
gaged in  worldly  business,  when  this  greater  business 
might,  and  should,  have  occupied  your  mind.  Were 
you  not  at  work,  when  you  should  have  been  in  your 
closet ;  or  reading  some  book  on  indifferent  subjects, 
when  you  should  have  been  searching  the  Scriptures; 
or  enjoying  yourself  in  your  family,  or  with  your 
friends,  when  you  should  have  been  alone  ?  But 
possibly  you  did  give  a  considerable  time  to  prepara- 
tion :  inquire  then  farther, — Have  I  not  rested  in  my 
preparation,  and  expected  a  blessing  from  it,  rather 
than  from  Christ?  No  preparation  must  be  trusted  in, 
or  put  in  the  place  of  Jesus  ;  if  so,  no  good  will  be 
received.  Or,  inquire  again — Is  there  any  secret  sin 
indulged  in  my  life  ?  Israel  could  not  prosper  in  the 
war,  on  account  of  Achan's  wickedness  ;  nor  will  you 
prosper  in  your  spiritual  warfare,  till  your  easily-be- 
setting sin  is  resisted  and  mortified. 

But  those  who,  in  humility  and  seriousness,  make 
the  objection  which  we  have  been  considering,  proba- 
bly have  received  real,  though  not  sensible  benefit. 
What  was  the  nature  of  the  benefit  which  you  expect- 
ed ?  Perhaps  you  looked  for  a  great  increase  of  com- 
fort and  joy  when  you  went,  and  you  returned  depres- 


O 


124  ON    A    DUE    RECEPTION 

sed,  broken-hearted,  and  humbled.  But  is  not  that 
very  spirit  in  which  you  returned,  a  real  benefit  ?  Isa. 
Ivii.  15.  "  If  you  do  not  come  away  with  a  rejoicing 
heart,  yet,  if  you  come  away  with  a  weeping  eye," 
bless  God  for  that  mercy.  And  though  you  found 
neither  sorrow  nor  joy,  but  a  distressing  deadness, 
dulness,  and  coldness,  during  the  whole  service,  yet 
perhaps  subsequently  you  manifested  more  of  the 
peaceable  fruits  of  righteousness  ;  possibly  you  enjoyed 
the  next  season  of  public  worship  more,  or  you  felt  un- 
der new  obligations  to  a  life  of  circumspection  and 
holiness ;  and  undoubtedly  these  were  real  benefits. 
God  is  not  confined  to  our  notions  of  times  and  seasons, 
nor  to  our  way  of  giving  his  blessings ;  but,  infinite  in 
his  wisdom,  and  boundless  in  his  love,  he  gives  them 
as  will  best  promote  our  highest  good.  But  still  you 
say,  you  are  distressed  under  the  mortification  of  dis- 
appointed expectation.  Were  you  not  unwarrantably 
expecting  a  certain  sort  of  spiritual  luxury,  the  luxury 
of  excited  feelings:  and  need  you  wonder  in  this  case 
that  you  find  yourself,  after  I'eceiving,  dull  and  in- 
sensible ?  God  deals  thus  with  you,  in  kindness,  for 
your  real  good.  But  do  you  ask.  What  is  now  my 
duty  ?  A  time  of  darkness  is  the  time  for  faith  :  let 
such  a  one  trust  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  and  stay  him- 
self o/i  his  God:  a  time  of  disappointment  is  the  time 
for  resignation  and  submission  to  the  will  of  God.  But 
after  all,  we  would  advise  you  not  to  judge  of  yourself 
merely  by  sensible  feelings.  The  benefits  are  here 
to  be  expected,  in  a  patient  and  persevering  use  of  the 
appointed  means ;  as  in  the  case  of  prayer,  or  other 
means  of  grace  for  the  food  of  the  soul :  or  as  in  food, 
medicine,  or  other  means  of  health  to  the  body.  But 
be  assured,  if  you  return  with  one  additional  proof  of 


-O 


o 

OF  THE  lord's  SUPPER.  125 

obedience  to  the  will  of  God,  one  pious  resolution  con- 
firmed, one  vicious  propensity  checked  ;  if  humility  be 
in  any  measure  advanced,  faith  at  all  strengthened, 
love  in  any  degree  enlarged,  or  hope  enlivened,  or  any 
Christian  grace  or  temper  increased ;  you  have  not 
received  without  benefit. 

Yet,  in  all,  remember,  God  acts  as  a  just  and  a 
GRACIOUS  SOVEREIGN.  We  are  unworthy  creatures, 
and  deserve  nothing  from  him.  By  our  sins,  even  in 
using  the  appointed  means,  we  forfeit  all  claim  to  the 
benefit.  If  he  refuse  to  give,  we  must  hide  our  faces 
in  the  dust,  acknowledging  his  justice,  and  our  unwor- 
thiness.  If  he  gives  any  blessing,  all  the  praise  and 
glory  belong  to  the  riches  of  his  grace. 

In  closing  this  chapter,  another  point  calls  for  at- 
tention. The  ministers  of  Christ  are  often  required  to 
administer  the  Lord's  Supper  to  the  sick  and  the  dying. 
In  some  cases,  those  who  send,  seem  to  think  it  a  kind 
of  passport  to  heaven,  with  which  they  are  safe,  and 
without  which  they  are  lost.  This  is  a  total  mistake 
of  its  true  nature.  If  their  neglect  proceed  not  from 
their  own  wilful  fault  and  disobedience,  they  may  go 
to  heaven  without  it ;  while,  if  they  receive  it  in  a  self- 
righteous  spirit,  they  may  perish  with  it.  Regenera- 
tion, faith  in  Christ,  contrition,  humility,  love,  holiness, 
these  things  mark  the  heir  of  glory.  Yet,  there  is,  on 
the  other  hand,  some  danger  lest  persons  of  evangeli- 
cal sentiments  should  undervalue  this  appointed  means, 
and  deprive  themselves  of  that  comfort,  strength,  and 
refreshment,  which  it  is  so  well  calculated  to  convey. 
Let  the  faith  of  the  pious  sick  and  dying,  particularly 
when  they  have  previously  been  in  the  habit  of  re- 
ceiving, be  invigorated  by  these  memorials  of  Christ ; 
let  their  hope  be  enlivened,  and  their  affections  en- 

) ( 

11* 


126 


ON    A    DUE    RECEPTION 


kindled,  by  the  appointed  ordinance  for  commemorating 
his  death.  Many  have  found  it  a  most  blessed  means 
of  grace,  in  that  solemn  hour  when  all  hopes  fail,  but 
those  which  spring  from  the  cross  of  Christ. 

We  cannot  conclude  this  Chapter  on  the  benefits 
connected  with  a  due  reception  of  the  Lord's  Supper, 
without  an  earnest  and  affectionate  invitation  to  true 
Christians  to  come  to  this  table. 

What  is  it  that  keeps  you  away  ?  Is  it  worldly 
business  ?  But  do  you  not  bring  a  curse  on  all  your 
worldly  concerns  by  neglecting  the  higher  and  more 
important  business  of  life — your  everlasting  welfare  ! 
Is  it  fear  of  being  engaged  to  a  holy  life  ?  you  are  al- 
ready bound 'to  that  by  your  baptism,  unless  you  have 
renounced  all  hope  in  Christ,  apostatized  from  him, 
and  are  willingly  sinking  to  everlasting  ruin.  Is  it 
the  fear  of  a  divine  threatening  for  unworthy  receiving? 
but  are  you  not  already  under  the  divine  threatening 
for  neglecting  to  come  ? 

Why  then  do  you  not  come  to  this  holy  and  happy 
feast  ?  Look  to  the  Saviour.  He,  for  you,  came  not 
to  a  feast  of  love,  but  to  endure  contempt,  and  hatred, 
and  death  :  He,  for  you,  tasted  and  drank  to  the  very 
dregs,  the  bitter  cup  of  divine  wrath  ;  and  will  not 
you  take  from  his  hands  the  cup  of  blessing  ? 

Come,  then,  we  entreat  you.  Let  the  days  again 
return,  when  every  one  that  calls  himself  a  Christian 
shall  be  a  faithful  communicant.  Let  the  days  again 
return,  when  all  baptized  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  and 
professing  his  religion,  shall  receive  the  memorials  of 
his  dying  love. 

How  painful  to  see  four-fifths  of  a  congregation 
leaving  the  church  when  this  most  interesting  and 
beneficial  ordinance  is  just  about  to  be  celebrated. 


-O 


> o 

OF  THE  lord's  SUPPER.  127 

Christian  fathers  and  mothers  of  families,  set 
your  servants  and  the  elder  branches  of  your  family 
the  example  of  attendance.  They  look  up  to  you  to 
guide  them.  You  should  not  abandon  this  table,  for 
you  will  hinder  many  by  your  turning  back.  If  you 
say  that  you  are  sinful,  and  therefore  afraid  to  come, 
why  then  do  you  not  repent  ?  The  Saviour  will  re- 
ceive every  weary  and  heavy-laden  sinner  that  goes 
to  him. 

Christian  servants,  this  table  is  open  to  you.  It 
is  your  privilege,  as  believers  in  Christ,  to  be  the 
Lord's  free  men,  and  in  his  house  to  feast  at  the  same 
table  with  the  highest  and  the  noblest  of  his  disciples ; 
they  count  you  brethren  and  sisters  ;  they  rejoice  to 
see  you  there,  and  to  know  that  you  are  members  of 
the  one  family  of  Christ.  Cast  not  away  your  free- 
dom and  your  privilege :  go  to  this  table,  and  rejoice 
in  the  Lord. 

Younger  members  of  a  christian  household,  who 
have  come  to  years  of  discretion  and  serious  thoughts 
of  your  soul,  refrain  not  from  these  holy  solemnities. 
They  will  strengthen  you  amid  the  seductions  of  plea- 
sure, stablish  you  in  the  tempest  of  youthful  passions, 
and  give  you  wisdom  and  judgment  amidst  the  inexpe- 
rience of  your  early  years.  Perhaps  you  have  just  been 
confirmed  :  now  then  come  and  receive  at  this  feast  the 
grace  which  will  strengthen  your  resolutions,  and  teach 
you  to  deny  ungodliness  and  worldly  lusts  ;  and  to  live 
soherly,  godly,  and  righteously,  in  this  present  world . 

To  every  one  that  names  the  name  of  Christ,  We 
proclaim  the  invitation —  Whosoever  will,  let  him  take  the 
ivater  of  life  freely .  We  place  the  duty  of  obeying  his 
plain  command  before  every  Christian  reader;  and 
charge  it  on  every  conscience. 

O — o 


G- 


CHAPTER  X. 

THE  HAPPINESS  WHICH  WOULD  FOLLOW  ITS  GENERAL 
AND  DEVOUT  OBSERVANCE. 

The  Lord's  Supper  being  an  ordinance  which  is 
eminently  calculated  to  promote  our  holiness  and  hap- 
piness as  Christians,  a  reasonable  prospect  of  a  far 
more  extended  observance  of  it,  in  a  right  spirit,  is  so 
delightful,  that  the  author  (whose  heart  is  deeply  in- 
terested in  such  a  hope)  will  for  a  little  time  dwell 
upon  it. 

The  following  considerations  may  tend  to  show  that 
THIS  HOPE  IS  NOT  wholly  UNWARRANTED.  The  general 
prevalence  of  Christianity  through  the  whole  world,  at 
a  future  time,  cannot  be  questioned.  The  promise 
that  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord  shall  cover  the  earth,  as 
the  waters  cover  the  sea,  is,  among  many  others,  clear 
and  express.  There  is  also  in  the  Scriptures,  a  mark- 
ed connection  between  the  sufferings  of  our  Lord,  and 
the  extension  of  his  kingdom.  7,  if  I  he  Ufted  up,  will 
draio  all  men  unto  me.  His  visage  was  marred  more 
than  any  man,  and  his  form  more  than  the  sons  of  men  ; 
so  shall  he  sprinkle  many  nations.  When  thou  shah 
make  his  soul  an  offering  for  sin,  he  shall  see  his  seed, 
he  shall  prolong  his  days,  and  the  pleasure  of  the  Lord 
shall  prosper  in  his  hands.  Indeed,  it  is  the  doctrine 
of  a  crucified  Saviour,  fully  proclaimed,  and  accom- 
panied by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  that  is  the 
means  of  enlarging  the  kingdom  of  Christ,  and  build- 


O 


&- 


HAPPINESS    DERIVED    FROM    DEVOUT    OBSERVANCE.    129 


ing  up  his  people  in  their  most  holy  faith.  We  may 
well  then  suppose  that  an  ordinance,  commemorating 
a  doctrine  specially  calculated  to  advance  the  con- 
version and  edification  of  the  world,  would,  were  the 
Gospel  more  generally  and  fully  received,  be  much 
more  constantly  observed. 

We  have  scriptural  authority  to  expect  that  the 
sufferings  of  Christ  will  always  be  remembered  with 
peculiar  affection  and  interest.  After  the  afTecting 
description  given  of  those  sufTerings  in  the  22d  Psalm, 
it  is  expressly  promised — all  the  ends  of  the  earth  shall 
remember  aiid  turn  unto  the  Lord,  and  all  the  kindreds 
of  the  nations  shall  worship  hefore  thee.  On  this  pas- 
sage Diodati  observes — ="  The  true  and  lively  know- 
ledge of  the  sufferings  and  glory  of  Christ  shall  be 
given  to,  and  preserved  among  all  nations  by  the 
preaching  of  the  Gospel  ;  and  especially  by  the  Sacra- 
ment of  his  body,  therefore  called  a  remembrance." 
Luke  xxii.  19. 

The  author  has  been  in  some  measure  led  to  these 
remarks,  by  the  following  interesting  account  of  one 
of  the  first  celebrations  of  this  ordinance  in  New 
Zealand,  an  island  hardly  discovered,  or  scarcely 
known  to  Europeans,  till  the  voyages  of  Captain  Cook, 
in  our  late  beloved  monarch's  reign. 

The  Rev.  Samuel  Marsden,  first  chaplain  to  the 
colony  of  New  South  Wales,  in  1819,  visited  the 
missions  established  in  this  island.  After  mentioning 
that  divine  service  was  performed  on  one  occasion,  on 
the  Sunday  in  a  shed,  where  the  four  great  men  in 
New  Zealand,  (Shungee,  King  George,  Pomaree,  and 
Racow)  attended  ;  Mr.  Marsden  says,  "  all  behaved 
with  decorum,  and  we  hope  that  the  day  is  not  far 
distant,  when  they  will  know  the  joyful  sound  of  the 


0 — _ _ .^ Q 

130  HAPPINESS    DERIVED 

gospel,  and  have  the  Lord  for  their  God,  in  the  fullest 
sense.  In  the  evening  we  had  divine  service  ;  and 
afterwards,  the  holy  Sacrament  was  administered  in 
this  distant  land ;  the  solemnity  of  which  did  not  fail 
to  excite  in  our  hearts  sensations  and  feelings  corres- 
ponding with  the  peculiar  situation  in  which  we  were. 
We  looked  back  to  the  period  when  this  holy  ordi- 
nance was  first  instituted  in  Jerusalem,  in  the  pre- 
sence of  our  Lord's  disciples ;  and  adverted  to  the 
peculiar  circumstances  under  which  it  was  now  ad- 
ministered, at  the  very  ends  of  the  earth,  where  a 
single  ray  of  divine  revelation  had  never  till  now 
dawned  on  the  inhabitants." 

Which  of  our  Lord's  disciples  at  its  first  institution 
would  have  imagined  it  should  be  observed  through 
extended  ages,  and  in  the  most  remote  parts  of  the 
earth  ?  and  why  should  ive  not  now,  who  have  seen 
such  large  steps  taken  towards  such  a  result  as  we 
are  considering,  hope  for  a  far  more  general  observ- 
ance ? 

Consider  also  the  effect  of  such  a  remembrance 
of  Christ.  Were  the  death  of  Christ  duly  and  gene- 
rally remembered,  and  had  it  through  the  abundant 
gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  its  right  influence  on  men, 
they  would  no  longer  live  to  themselves,  but  to  Him  that 
died  for  thejii.  Divisions  would  cease,  and  Christians 
all  he  one.  John  xvii.  21.  The  whole  body  would  be 
ONE  vast  family,  have  one  will,  one  heart,  one  aim, 
and  one  labour.  It  would  be  felt  that  there  is  one 
Lord,  one  faith,  one  hope,  one  God  and  Father  of  all, 
above  all,  through  all,  and  in  them  all.  Righteous- 
ness and  truth,  goodness  and  kindness,  would  gene- 
rally prevail.  Love  to  God,  and  love  to  each  other, 
would  fill  the  earth  as  they  now  fill  heaven ;  and  in 
O' ( 


0 


FROM    DEVOUT    OBSERVANCE. 


131 


some  much  lower,  but  happy  degree,  these  words 
would  be  fulfilled  ;  Behold  the  tabernacle  of  God  is 
with  men,  and  he  will  dwell  with  them,  and  they  shall  he 
his  people,  and  God  himself  shall  he  with  them,  and  he 
their  God. 

It  was  once  said  of  the  three  thousand  first  con- 
verted to  the  Christian  faith — they  continued  stedfastly 
in  the  Apostle^  s'  doctrine  arid  fellowship,  and  in  or  caking 
of  hread  and  in  prayer.  May  we  hope  that  this  de- 
scription will  hereafter  be  true,  not  merely  of  one 
body  of  believers  in  one  place,  but  of  all  the  various 
and  multiplied  nations  of  the  earth  in  every  land. 

A  late  writer,  in  the  following  paraphrase  on  that 
petition  in  the  Lord's  prayer,  Thy  will  be  done  on  earth 
as  it  is  in  heaven,  has  delightfully  intimated  the  bless- 
edness of  such  a  conformity  to  the  divine  will  as  we 
may  then  expect,  "In  heaven  thy  will  is  the  inviola- 
ble law.  Myriads  of  ministers  encircle  thy  throne, 
who  cease  not  to  celebrate  and  serve  thee  with  unin- 
terrupted praises,  and  unerring  obedience.  O  that 
such  fidelity  were  found  on  earth  !  that  the  sons  of 
men  did  even  now  resemble  that  celestial  society,  to 
which  they  hope  hereafter  to  be  united !  were  ani- 
mated with  the  like  holy  ardent  zeal,  and  could  give 
themselves  to  God  with  the  same  entire  devotion  ! 
We  are  blind  and  vain,  but  thou  art  wise  and  good. 
Wise  therefore  in  thy  wisdom,  secure  under  thy  care, 
great  and  happy  in  humility  and  subjection,  we  have 
no  wishes  but  in  thee.  Our  whole  desire  and  glory  is 
to  be,  to  do,  to  suffer,  whatsoever  thou  art  pleased  to 
appoint." 

Christian  reader !  does  not  true  zeal  for  the  glory 
of  God,  and  enlarged  benevolence  for  the  best  happi- 
ness of  man,  equally  excite  us  to  pray  and  labour  for 


G- 


O 


O Q 

132  HAPPINESS    DERIVED 

the  advancement  of  such  a  state  of  blessedness? 
What  a  world  would  this  be,  if  that  peaceful,  meek, 
kind,  and  tender  spirit,  in  which  we  often  come  from 
the  Lord's  table  were  universally  diffused !  Men 
would  be  like  angels,  and  earth  like  heaven.  Yes ; 
what  a  happy  world  would  this  be  even  now,  if  all 
men  could,  on  good  grounds,  hope  that  they  had  re- 
ceived the  Holy  Spirit,  were  children  of  God,  and 
going  to  his  heavenly  kingdom  ;  and  if  the  commu- 
nion of  saints  were  a  general  blessing.  Thus  the 
Lord  shall  comfort  Zio?i,  he  will  comfort  all  her  waste 
places;  and  he  will  make  her  wilderness  like  Eden, 
and  her  desert  like  the  garden  of  the  Lord;  joy  and 
gladness  shall  be  found  therein,  thanksgiving,  and  the 
voice  of  melody.  Isaiah  li.  3.  Supposing  the  Lord's 
Supper  to  be  devoutly  and  universally  observed,  it 
would  be  as  the  tree  of  life,  ivhich  bare  twelve  manner 
of  fruits,  arA  yielded  her  fruit  every  month;  and  the 
leaves  of  the  tree  were  for  the  healing  of  the  nations. 

Let  us  then  remember  that  there  is  much  within 
our  own  reach  for  aiding  the  increase  of  Christ's 
government  in  the  world.  Every  step  in  the  way  of 
righteousness  helps  to  advance  and  bring  it  on :  every 
sin  which  we  commit  retards  its  progress,  and  does 
something  towards  hindering  not  only  our  own  happi- 
ness, but  the  general  happiness  of  the  human  race. 
Let  us  remember,  that  every  additional  communicant 
gained  to  attend  the  Lord's  Supper  in  a  right  spirit, 
who  before  altogether  neglected  it,  or  attended  it  only 
formally,  is  another  inroad  on  the  kingdom  of  dark- 
ness, sin,  and  misery  ;   and  another  approach  towards 

'  the  universal  prevalence  of  that  blessed  empire,  which 
is  not  meat  and  drink,  but  righteousness,  and  peace,  and 

!  joy,  in  the  Holy  Ghost.     Every  soul  born  of  God  is 

© 0 


FROM    DEVOUT    OBSERVANCE. 


133 


an  additional  heir  of  the  kingdom  which  he  has  pro- 
mised to  them  that  love  him,  and  which  he  will  ulti- 
mately triumphantly  establish. 

The  universal  remembrance  of  Christ,  and  the 
subjection  of  all  nations  to  him,  cannot  be  indeed 
scripturally  hoped  for  till  his  return,  and  we,  by  the 
Lord's  Supper,  show  forth  his  death  till  he  come. 
Then  it  is  that  the  kingdoms  of  this  world  will  become 
the  kingdom  of  our  Lord  and  of  his  Christ;  then  it  is 
the  prayer  will  be  answered,  thy  kingdom  come,  thy 
will  be  done  on  earth  as  it  is  in  heaven.  Our  chief  as- 
pirations  must  be  those  with  which  the  sacred  volume 
closes  ;  in  reply  to  the  last  assurance  of  our  Lord : 
Surely  I  come  quickly ;  Amen.  Even  so,  come  Lord 
Jesus.  Let  us  be  hasting  to  the  day  of  the  Lord,  and 
preparing  for  communion  with  him,  in  visible  glory  in 
his  kingdom,  by  seeking  communion  with  him  in 
faith  and  spirit,  here  below,  while  he  is  yet  absent 
from  us. 


-O 


12 


o cp 


CHAPTER  XL 

ON    COMMUNION    WITH    CHRIST    AND    HIS     PEOPLE    ON 
EARTH. 

The  communion  of  the  body  and  blood  of  Christ  is 
a  means  of  enjoying  communion  with  him  on  earth, 
and  also  a  pledge  of  that  glorious  communion  which 
Christians  hope  for  in  heaven. 

There  is  a  communion,  a  holy  and  a  delightful  inter- 
change of  affectionate  communication  between  Christ 
and  his  people.  This  agreement,  fellowship,  and 
friendship,  (and  we  have  the  authority  of  Scripture 
for  applying  even  such  terms  to  so  high  and  heavenly 
an  intercourse)  are  so  near,  entire,  and  intimate,  that 
the  same  Scripture  compares  the  union  between  Christ 
and  his  people  to  that  of  the  husband  and  the  wife. 
Eph.  V.  25-32;— the  vine  and  the  branches. — -John  xv. 
1-8  ; — the  body  and  the  members.     1  Cor.  xii.  12-27. 

It  is  a  communion  promised  to  all  his  obedient 
disciples. — He  that  hath  my  commandments,  and  keepeth 
them,  he  it  is  that  loveth  me ;  and  he  that  loveth  me  shall 
he  loved  of  my  Father ;  and  I  will  love  him,  and  will 
manifest  myself  to  him.  When  Judas,  on  hearing 
these  words,  asked  how  the  Lord  would  manifest  him- 
self to  them,  and  not  to  the  world,  he  replied — If  a 
man  love  me,  he  will  keep  my  words,  and  my  Father 
will  love  him,  and  we  will  come  unto  him,  and  make  our 
abode  with  him.  Hence  it  is  clear  that  there  is  a  pe- 
culiar manifestation  of  Christ  to  his  people. 


o- 


^■ 


o 


ON    COMMUNION    WITH    CHRIST. 


135 


The  world,  as  our  Lord  intimates,  knows  not  of  this 
communion  ;  it  understands  it  not;  it  ridicules  the  idea. 
But  still  the  real  Christian  is  privileged  to  enjoy  a 
sensible,  perceptible,  and  enlivening  intercourse  with 
his  Lord.  He  has  a  secret  and  spiritual  access  to 
him,  and  comfort  from  him.  Jesus  Christ  is  his  best 
friend,  and  his  gracious  support,  refuge,  and  strength. 

Jesus  Christ  speaks  to  him  through  the  holy  scrip- 
tures. Often  by  them  he  is  touched  and  affected  with 
godly  sorrow  for  sin,  with  ardent  desires  after  holi- 
ness, and  with  a  lively  hope  of  future  glory.  Often 
in  reading  the  sacred  volume  he  hears  the  voice  of 
Christ,  and  thus  is  led  to  communion  with  him.  His 
Saviour  more  directly  still  imparts  grace  to  his  soul, 
by  the  gift  and  teaching  of  the  holy  ghost,  whose 
office  it  is  to  take  of  the  things  of  Christ  and  show  them 
to  us.  Thus  do  we  discover  his  grace  and  glory,  long 
for  his  presence,  and  earnestly  seek  him.  He  to  whom 
all  power  in  heaven  and  earth  is  given,  speaks  again  in 
his  providence.  If  trials  and  sorrows  be  sent,  conso- 
lations are  generally  at  the  same  time  so  mingled  with 
them,  that  in  his  best  moments  the  Christian  thanks 
God  for  them.  If  blessings  are  bestowed,  they  are 
received  as  given  through  a  Saviour.  In  every  provi- 
dence, his  voice,  his  hand,  and  his  love  may  be  mark- 
ed. All  are  designed  to  lead  us  to  nearer  communion 
with  him.  All  should  be  viewed  as  the  manifestation 
of  his  care  and  wisdom,  his  compassion  and  tender- 
ness. The  Christian  has  ears  to  hear  this  voice,  has 
eyes  to  see  this  hand,  has  a  heart  to  feel  this  love. 
He  knows  Christ  and  is  known  of  him. 

Christians  have  an  unreserved  communion  with  Christ. 
Drawn  by  his  Spirit,  they  rejoice  to  go  to  him.  They 
love  his  day,  his  house,  his  people,  and  every  path  of 


o- 


O 


0- 


136  ON    COMMUNION 

duty  where  they  find  their  Saviour.  His  grace  de- 
scends on  them,  and  their  hearts  are  raised  to  him. 
Truly,  says  St.  John,  our  fellowship  is  with  the  Father, 
and  with  his  Son  Jesus  Christ.  There  is  no  friendship 
on  earth  so  entire,  so  unreserved,  and  so  invaluable, 
as  that  which  subsists  between  Christ  and  the  faithful 
soul.  It  is  a  friendship  which  has  ever  subsisted  be- 
tween the  believer  and  his  God.  Enoch  walked  with 
God.  Abraham  was  called  the  friend  of  God.  Jesus 
said  to  his  disciples,  Ye  are  my  friends,  if  ye  do  what- 
soever I  command  you.  Henceforth  I  call  you  not  ser- 
vants, for  the  servant  knoweth  not  what  his  Lord  doeth  ; 
but  I  have  called  you  friends,  for  all  things  that  I  have 
heard  of  my  Father,  I  have  made  known  unto  you.  How 
many  are  the  benefits  of  having  such  a  friend  !  He 
is  a  friend  always  near  at  hand,  ever  willing  to  hear 
us,  who  bears  with  our  infirmities,  who  instructs  us 
with  the  wisest  counsel,  gives  us  the  most  effectual 
aid,  and  never  leaves  us  nor  forsakes  us.  He  is  an 
unchanuring  and  an  unchansreable  friend.     The  Chris- 

CO  ~ 

tian's  privilege  is  to  know  this  friend,  consult  him,  ask 
for  his  guidance,  converse  with  him,  tell  him  all  his 
sorrows,  and  all  his  sins,  depend  on  him  for  support  in 
all  difficulties,  for  supplies  in  all  wants,  and  to  cast 
all  his  care  upon  him.  Thus  he  has  communion  with 
Christ. 

This  communion  is  specially  enjoyed  at  his  table. 
A  blessed  intercourse  with  Christ,  as  of  one  friend  with 
another,  and  an  exchange  of  the  endearing  pledges  of 
mutual  love,  are  what  this  sacrament  is  greatly  cal- 
culated to  promote.  What  Christian  has  not  found, 
that  as  the  eyes  of  the  disciples  at  Emmaus  were 
opened,  our  Lord  making  himself  known  to  them  in 
the  breaking  of  bread  ;  so  sometimes  now  at  his  table. 


O ( 

WITH    CHRIST.  137 

he  manifests  himself  to  his  people,  and  they  too  are 
ready  to  say  to  each  other,  Did  not  our  hearts  burn 
within  us  while  he  talked  with  us  by  the  way  ? 

Just  after  the  first  reception  of  the  Lord's  Supper, 
and  with  a  direct  reference  to  that  institution,  our  Lord 
said,  I  will  drink  no  more  of  the  fruit  of  the  vine,  until 
that  day  that  I  drink  it  new  in  the  kingdom  of  God,  Mark 
xiv.  25.  see  also  Matt.  xxvi.  29.  The  term  new  often 
signifies  the  excellence,  truth,  and  superior  nature  of 
what  was  so  named  ;  and  wine  is  a  common  figure  for 
joy  and  gladness.  The  kingdom  of  God,  may  either  re- 
fer to  his  spiritual  kingdom  in  this  world,  or  his  king- 
dom of  glory  hereafter.  Under  this  figure,  then,  of 
drinking  new  wine  with  his  disciples,  our  Lord  may 
first  intend  to  denote  the  passing  away  of  the  Jewish, 
and  the  superior  excellence  of  the  Christian  dispensa- 
tion ;  the  joy  of  his  people  through  the  power  of  the 
Holy  Ghost  in  their  Saviour,  and  his  joy  in  them,  in 
the  church  militant  on  earth.  And  as  the  passage  is 
connected  with  the  Lord's  Supper,  it  seems  to  include 
a  blessed  promise  of  a  peculiar  communion  with  his 
people  in  their  due  observance  of  that  institution.  In 
this  view  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  we  have  here  not  only 
communion  with  our  Christian  brethren,  but  have  the 
highest  and  most  delightful  communion  with  our  Sa- 
viour, in  that  spiritual  kingdom  which  he  has  establish, 
ed  on  earth,  as  well  as  the  happy  prospects  of  being 
ever  with  him  in  the  heavenly  kingdom. 

The  mode  of  expression — drinking  new  wine  in  the 
kingdom  of  God,  suggests  many  encouraging  thoughts. 

It  shows  us  that  Christ  there  peculiarly  manifests 
HIS  PRESENCE.  Though  invisible  to  the  eye  of  sense, 
the  eye  of  faith  can  behold  him  as  the  present  and  the 
real  Head  of  his  family ;  not  only  coming  in  like  the 

G < 

12* 


o 


138 


ON    COMMUNION 


-o 


king  in  the  marriage  supper,  to  see  the  guests,  but, 
though  unseen,  presiding  over  all  who  assemble 
around  his  table,  and  blessing  them  according  to  their 
wants.  How  refreshing  the  thought,  that  here  Christ 
is,  as  it  were,  inviting  every  faithful  disciple  to  partake 
of  his  blessing,  saying.  Eat,  O  friends,  drink,  yea, 
drink  ahundantly,  O  helovedf  A  supply  for  every 
want  of  our  souls  is  thus  offered  and  assured  to  us. 
The  atonement  through  his  blood,  the  remission  of  sins, 
the  love  of  God,  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  all  the 
blessings  of  the  new  covenant,  are  afresh  exhibited 
and  assured  to  every  believer  by  the  appointed  minis- 
ters of  Christ,  and  under  his  special  direction. 

The  expression,  drinking  new  wine,  suggests  also 
that  FREEDOM  with  which  we  here  have  intercourse 
with  our  Lord.  We  feel  a  degree  of  liberty  and  free- 
dom with  those  with  whom  we  are  permitted  to  eat 
and  drink.  The  Christian  has  this  blessed  freedom 
of  access  to  Him,  who  is  God  over  all,  blessed  forever ; 
to  one  higher  than  the  highest.  Our  Lord  condescends 
to  say.  If  any  man  hear  my  voice,  and  open  the  door,  I 
will  come  in  to  Mm,  and  will  sup  with  him,  and  he  with 
me,  Rev.  iii.  20.  The  great  Monarch  that  Christians 
obey  puts  on  no  haughty  and  distant  coldness  and  re- 
serve :  though  infinite  dignity  and  glory  are  shed 
around  him,  all  is  softened  by  infinite  condescension, 
grace,  and  love.  While  Christians  have  the  King  of 
kings  for  their  Lord  and  Saviour,  they  have  a  perfect 
freedom  of  access  to  this  great  king,  even  as  to  a  bo- 
som friend. 

This  communion  is  calculated  to  fill  us  with  Joy. 
The  most  enlightened,  devoted,  and  comprehensive 
mind,  cannot  conceive  a  higher  joy  on  earth  than  that 
which  he  experiences,  on  whom  the  Lord  lifts  up  the 


O- 


-O 


o 


WITH    CHRIST. 


139 


light  of  his  countenance.  The  most  exquisite  earthly 
enjoyments,  the  tenderest  sensibilities  of  our  nature, 
joined  to  the  highest  delights  of  human  friendship  ^md 
love,  are  all  poor  and  vain,  compared  with  those  supe- 
rior joys  which  Christ  can  and  does  bestow  on  his 
friends.  What  communion  on  earth  can  be  like  com- 
munion with  our  God  ?  What  love  on  earth  equals 
his  who  died  for  us,  and  who  lives  to  make  interces- 
sion for  us  ?  Whose  excellences  of  wisdom,  equity, 
tenderness,  power,  and  glory,  can  compare  with 
Christ's  ?  Are  we  privileged  to  have  access  to  the 
Wonderful,  Counsellor,  the  Mighty  God,  the  Prince  of 
Peace  ?  surely  the  very  prospect  of  it  should  excite  the 
liveliest  desire  after  it ;  the  enjoyment  of  it  should 
make  the  pleasures  of  the  world  for  ever  worthless 
and  tasteless.  Christian  reader  !  lose  not  your  happi- 
ness in  the  mere  vanities  of  time  and  sense,  but  seek 
to  rise  to  the  full  enjoyment  of  your  amazing  privi- 
leges. 

This  subject  may  well  afford  great  consolation  in 
all  the  troubles  of  this  life.  Whatever  your  difficul- 
ties may  be,  whether  from  the  state  of  your  affairs, 
from  the  perverseness  of  those  around  you,  from  the 
power  of  indwelling  sin,  or  from  many  temptations ; 
still,  spiritual  communion  with  your  Saviour  in  his 
kingdom  of  grace,  and  the  hope  of  full  and  perfect  en- 
joyment of  him  in  his  kingdom  of  glory,  may  well  both 
support  and  console  you.  Come  then  to  Jesus  in  every 
period  of  sorrow.  He  is  your  Refuge  and  Strength. 
In  communion  with  him,  every  trouble  will  be  greatly 
mitigated,  or  altogether  removed.  What  tongue  can 
tell  the  happiness  of  him  who  lives  with  his  Saviour 
as  with  an  ever-present  companion  and  guide  ;  who 
has  communion  with  Jesus  as  an  almighty,  all-suffi- 


G- 


■O 


G- 


140  ON    COMMUNION    WITH   CHRIST. 

cient  Friend ;  who  became  man  for  our  salvation,  and 
is  still  touched  with  a  feeling  of  our  infirmities,  and 
sympathises  with  us ! 

But  communion  with  Christ  here  on  earth,  however 
enjoyed,  whether  in  daily  prayer,  in  his  house,  through 
his  providences,  by  his  word,  or  at  his  table,  is  the  sure 
PLEDGE  of  eternal  abiding  with  him  in  the  glory  which 
is  to  come.  Those  who  hear  the  voice  of  Christ,  whom 
he  knows  and  who  follow  him,  are  his  people,  and  of 
them  he  says,  /  give  unto  them  eternal  Hfe,  and  they 
shall  never  perish,  neither  shall  any  pluck  them  out  of  my 
hand. 

It  is  not  only  the  pledge,  it  is  also  the  foretaste 
of  this  bliss, — the  beginning  of  those  eternal  joys 
which  shall  never  fail.  When  in  a  right  spirit  you 
surround  the  Lord's  table,  you  have  a  type  and  em- 
blem, faint  it  is  true,  yet  sufficiently  significant,  of  the 
glorious  feast  above.  Here  indeed  Christ  is  only  in- 
visibly present ;  but  the  spiritual  joys  here  felt  are 
similar  to  those  above  ;  and  the  holy  feelings  here  ex- 
cited, are  the  beginning  of  a  more  perfect  holiness  to 
be  for  ever  possessed  hereafter.  Here  indeed  we  see 
him  by  faith  ;  there  by  sight :  here  all  that  encompass 
the  table  are  imperfect ;  there  all  who  surround  the 
throne  are  perfectly  holy.  Here  they  are  soon  obliged 
to  separate ;  there  they  '  go  no  more  out,'  but  live  in 
the  perpetual  enjoyment  of  holiness,  love,  eternal  glory 
and  the  presence  of  Christ.  But  to  have  at  this  table 
any  earnest  of  the  future  inheritance,  and  any  antici- 
pation of  its  songs  of  triumph,  its  holy  joys,  and  its 
blessed  employments,  may  well  endear  the  solemn  or- 
dinance to  every  faithful  communicant. 

Let  us  then  now  proceed  to  notice  the  heavenly 

COMMUNION. 

G-, — -6 


-o 


CHAPTER  XII. 

ON  THE  HEAVENLY  COMMUNION  TO  BE  HEREAFTER 
ENJOYED  WITH  OUR  LORD. 

In  the  Lord's  Supper  the  A-postle  tells  the  Corin- 
thians, as  often  as  ye  eat  this  bread  and  drink  this  cup, 
ye  do  show  forth  the  Lord's  death,  till  he  come.  Till 
the  return  of  our  beloved  Lord  and  Master  the  cup  of 
blessing  which  we  bless  is  the  communion  of  the  blood  of 
Christ,  and  the  bread  which  we  break  is  the  communion 
of  the  body  of  Christ. 

But  when  that  all-glorious  and  blessed  hope  to  those 
who  look  for  the  Saviour  is  realized,  and  he  appears 
in  glory,  we  shall  be  like  him  and  see  him  as  he  is  and 
ever  be  with  him.  The  words  till  he  come  seem  to 
imply  that  we  shall  not  need  this  memorial  of  his 
body  and  blood  when  we  shall  have  his  glorified  body 
in  the  midst  of  us,  and  we  behold  all  that  amazing 
glory,  with  which  he  is  now  encompassed,  for  ever. 

If  communion  with  Christ  on  earth,  with  our  weak 
faith,  and  feeble  hope,  and  faint  love,  be  so  great  a 
privilege,  how  much  greater  will  be  the  blessedness 

of    that  WHICH    WE     SHALL     ENJOY    IN     THE     HEAVENLY 

Jerusalem!  The  highest  figures  are  used  to  give  us 
some  view  of  the  future  glory.  It  is  called  a  king- 
dom, a  father's  kingdom ;  a  crown,  a  crown  of  glory. 
It  is  paradise,  the  paradise  of  God  ;  a  marriage  sup- 
per, the  marriage  supper  of  the  Lamb.  Let  us  then 
endeavour  to  contemplate  the  exceeding  bliss  of  that 


-o 


142 


ON    THE    HEAVENLY   COMMUNION    TO    BE 


day,  when  we  shall,  in  the  highest  sense,  drink  new 
wine  in  the  kingdom  of  God.  Thus  St.  John  de- 
scribes that  scene  of  glory — The  marriage  of  the 
Lamb  is  come,  and  his  wife  hath  made  hersef  ready, 
and  to  her  it  was  granted  that  she  should  he  arrayed  in 
fine  linen,  clean  and  white ;  for  the  fine  linen  is  the 
righteousness  of  saints.  And.  he  saith  unto  me,  Write, 
Blessed  are  they  which  are  called  unto  the  marriage 
supper  of  the  Lamh.  And  he  saith  unto  me,  These  are 
the  true  sayings  of  God.  Rev.  xix.  7-9. 

Conceive,  then  the  immortal  soul  prepared  and  made 
meet  for  that  eternal  inheritance ;  wholly  free  from 
all  guilt  and  pollution,  and  admitted  into  the  heavenly 
company.  Conceive  also  the  glorified  body  raised 
from  the  sleeping  dust,  or  changed  from  its  present 
state  of  humiliation  even  while  living,  and  fashioned 
like  the  glorious  body  of  Christ,  as  manifested  on  the 
Mount,  and  all  the  righteous  there  shining  as  the  sun 
in  the  kingdom  of  the  Father,  and  then  you  will  be 
able  to  form  some  better  idea  of  that  supreme  happi- 
ness which  we  can  never  fully  conceive  until  it  is 
experienced. 

Let  us  first  notice  the  joy  of  our  lord  in  the 
HAPPINESS  OF  his  PEOPLE.  Is  there  a  purer  or  higher 
joy  than  the  perfect  happiness  of  those  whom  we 
love,  when  we  have  contributed  to  it  ?  Such  is  the 
joy  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour.  What  words  can  de- 
clare his  love  to  his  redeemed  ?  How  he  loved  them 
with  an  everlasting  love,  loved  them  when  enemies, 
died  for  them,  strove  with  them  ;  and,  when  perverse 
and  obstinate,  overcame  them  even  by  love  itself! 
They  are  the  travail  of  his  soul,  and  their  happiness  is 
the  reward  of  his  sufferings.  In  the  scene  of  ineffa- 
ble  glory  of  which    we    now  speak,   Christ  beholds 


G- 


-O 


O ( 

HEREAFTER   ENJOYED    WITH    OUR    LORD.  143 

them  completely  blessed  in  him,  and  with  him.  His, 
and  his  Father's  glory,  are  in  a  new  way  manifested 
to  all  created  intelligences  by  the  bliss  of  ransomed 
sinners.  For  this  joy  lie  endured  the  cross.  How 
will  the  joy  of  Christ,  beloved  as  he  is  by  the  Chris- 
tian, fill  and  enlarge  every  believer's  heart  with  the 
highest  gladness ! 

The  Christian  shall  there  behold  the  glory  of 
CHRIST.  We  think  the  Apostles  and  first  disciples 
favoured  who  beheld  his  veiled  glory.  We  wonder 
not  at  Zaccheus  climbing  a  tree  to  get  even  a  glimpse 
of  the  Son  of  God,  when  he  dwelt  on  earth.  Chris- 
tian reader !  realize  by  faith,  for  a  moment,  the  de- 
lightful thought  that  your  eyes  shall  behold  your 
beloved  Saviour  in  glory,  a  glory  which  made  the 
three  favoured  disciples  say.  Lord,  it  is  good  to  he 
here,  and  be  able  stedfastly  to  gaze  on  his  matchless 
beauty,  without  being  confounded  by  the  effulgence 
of  his  brightness !  Hard  it  is  for  us  now  to  raise  our 
souls  to  any  view  of  him  by  faith ;  but  then,  without 
difficulty,  or  wandering,  or  effort,  we  shall,  with  per- 
fect ease  and  happy  freedom,  behold  our  gracious 
Redeemer,  face  to  face,  and  see  him  as  he  is. 

We  shall  also  hear  the  words  of  christ.  What 
heart  can  imagine  the  bliss  of  that  day  when  Christ 
himself  shall  say  unto  you.  Enter  thou  into  the  joy  of 
the  Lord.  Then  we  shall  not,  as  now,  by  painful 
studies,  by  the  experience  of  many  trials,  by  continual 
struggling  and  effort  in  prayer,  attain  some  faint 
knowledge  of  God  and  his  ways,  for  Christ  himself 
shall  converse  with  us,  and  we  with  him.  Then  will 
he  show  us  the  wisdom  and  love  of  our  heavenly 
Father,  in  all  that  now  seems  dark  and  obscure,  for 
he  will  fulfil  that  promise,  in  its  greatest  and  fullest 


o- 


-0 


144 


ON    THE    HEAVENLY    COMMUNION    TO    BiS 


meaning — What  I  do  thou  knoioest  not  now,  hut  thou 
shalt  know  hereafter.  And  not  only  will  the  goodness 
of  our  Heavenly  Father  be  thus  discovered  to  us  in 
all  past  events,  but  we  shall  enter  into  a  far  deeper 
knowledo-e  of  his  excellence  than  we  can  now  con- 
ceive,  and  shall  better  understand  the  declaration, 
This  is  life  eternal — to  know  thee  the  only  true  God,  and 
Jesus  Christ  zvhom  thou  hast  sent. 

We  shall  also  constantly  dwell  with  Christ. 
Here  the  Christian  has  in  some  happy  moments  had 
a  transient  glimpse  of  his  future  bliss,  and  occas-ion- 
ally  has  been  filled  with  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of 
glory.  But  how  transient !  How  soon  the  eye  of 
faith  becomes  dim  !  How  soon  the  affections  again 
sink  and  grovel  on  the  earth  !  How  soon  the  spiritual 
view  of  the  glory  and  presence  of  Christ  disappears  ! 
It  will  not  be  so  there.  That  prayer  will  then  be 
fully  answered, — Father,  I  will  that  they  also  whom 
thou  hast  given  me,  he  with  me  ichere  I  am;  perpetually 
with  me,  never  more  to  be  separated — -that  they  may 
behold  my  glory.  Happy  would  the  Christian  be,  did 
no  sin  now  obscure  the  light,  and  damp  the  joy  of 
communion  with  Christ.  Happy  would  he  be,  could 
he  always  live  with  Christ,  and  always  be  near  and 
close  to  him.  It  will  be  so  then.  We  shall  never, 
through  corruption,  leave  him  ;  and  he  will  never  be 
provoked,  by  sin,  to  leave  us. 

Thus  shall  the  Christian  share  the  joys  of  his 
saviour.  That  high  and  holy  fellowship  and  friend- 
ship, which  began  on  earth,  and  here  afforded  some 
bright  beams  of  peace,  of  hope,  and  happiness,  shall 
be  perfected  above.  O  what  heart  can  now  conceive 
the  things  which  God  hath  prepared  for  them  that 
love    him  !      We  shall   understand   what  we  cannot 


O 


>0 


0- 


-O 


HEREAFTER   ENJOYED   WITH    OUR   LORD. 


145 


now  even  imagine ;  we  shall  know  in  our  happy 
enjoyment  of  them  the  full  and  complete  meaning  of 
those  words — In  thy  presence  is  fullness  of  joy  ;  at  thy 
right  hand  there  are  pleasures  for  evermore :  and  of 
those  also — I  will  come  in  to  him,  and  sup  with  him,  and 
he  with  me.  Rev.  iii.  20. 

Then  shall  the  Christian  share  also  the  glories 
OF  THE  Saviour.  His  promises  are  very  full  on  this 
point — To  him  that  overcometh  will  I  grant  to  sit  loith  me 
in  my  throne,  even  as  I  also  overcame,  and  am  set  doion 
with  my  Father  in  his  throne.  This  must  be  a  glory 
far  beyond  our  highest  present  thoughts,  but  it  is 
often  brought  before  us  in  scripture,  to  animate  our 
hopes.  If  we  suffer  we  shall  also  reign  with  him  ;  He 
hath  made  us,  unto  our  God,  kings  and  priests,  and  we 
shall  reign  on  the  earth.  O  what  a  calling  is  the 
Christian's  calling  ;  what  a  hope,  the  Christian's  hope. 
He  is  chosen  out  of  the  world  to  be  an  heir  of  God, 
and  a  joint  heir  with  Christ.  May  we  set  this  prize  be- 
fore us,  and  press  towards  the  mark  for  it,  and  having 
respect  to  the  recompense  of  reward,  may  we  count 
the  reproach  of  Christ  here,  greater  riches  than  all  the 
treasures  of  this  world. 

The  whole  energies  of  soul  and  body  will  then  be 
delightfully  and  for  ever  engaged  in  doing  the  will 
OF  GOD ;  even  as  the  angels  now  do  in  heaven  ;  the 
zeal  and  activity  of  the  glorified  saint,  in  his  happy 
course,  will  never  cease.  As  the  throne  of  God  and 
of  the  Lamh  shall  be  there,  so  his  servants  shall  serve 
him,  and  they  shall  see  his  face,  and  his  name  shall  he 
on  their  foreheads,  and  there  shall  he  no  night  there, 
and  they  need  no  candle,  neither  the  light  of  the  sun,  for 
the  Lord  God  giveth  them  light  and  they  shall  reign 
for  ever. 


o- 


13 


■o 


, o 

146       ON    HEAVENLY  COMMUNION  WITH  OUR  LORD. 

Nor,  having  mentioned  in  a  former  chapter  the 
communion  of  saints  on  earth  as  one  of  the  benefits 
connected  with  a  due  reception  of  the  Lord's  Supper, 
must  we  altogether  pass  by  that  far  more  exalted,  and 
that  perfected  communion  of  saints  in  heaven  ;  when 
without  any  alloy  of  sin  in  ourselves,  or  in  them,  we 
shall  join  the  heavenly  hosts  in  glory.  The  heart 
of  the  believer,  in  the  lively  exercises  of  faith,  almost 
sickens  with  desire  to  enter  the  blissful  society  of  the 
spirits  of  just  men  made  perfect ;  to  be  like  the  holy 
angels,  and  ever  with  them ;  to  join  the  glorious  com- 
pany of  the  apostles,  the  goodly  fellowship  of  the 
prophets,  the  noble  army  of  martyrs,  and  the  whole 
church  universal  and  triumphant.  Who  can  tell  the 
enraptured  emotions  of  the  redeemed  soul,  escaping 
from  the  snares  of  every  enemy  here,  when  he  shall 
ascend. to  dwell  with  none  but  friends ;  none  but  holy 
and  blessed  spirits,  full  of  love  and  of  happiness ! 
What  will  it  be  to  associate  with  them,  to  partake 
their  bliss,  to  leave  for  ever  this  lower  scene  of  dark- 
ness, toil,  and  conflict ;  and  there  to  sit  down  with 
Abraham,  and  Isaac,  and  Jacoh,  in  the  kingdom  of 
heaven!  O  Christians,  how  eagerly  should  we  look 
for,  how  earnestly  haste  unto,  and  how  diligently  pre- 
pare for,  the  coming  of  that  day  ! 


O- 


A    TREATISE 


ON 


THE    LORD'S    SUPPER. 


PART  II. 


DESIGNED  TO  EXPLAIN  THE  NATURE  OF  THE 
HOLY  COMMUNION. 


PART  II. 

CHAPTER  I. 

ON  PREPARATION  FOR  THE  LORD'S  SUPPER. 

It  is  very  desirable  not  to  enter  on  any  spiritual 
service  with  a  careless  and  heedless  mind ;  and  the 
more  solemn  the  duty  is,  the  more  needful  and  desi- 
rable is  a  due  preparation  for  it.  The  common  de- 
cencies  of  life  teach  men  that,  when  invited  to  the 
table  of  a  monarch,  or  to  associate  with  princes  and 
their  earthly  superiors,  they  should  appear  with  suit- 
able marks  of  respect,  and  so  behave  as  may  best 
please  and  honour  those  who  have  invited  them. 
Much  more  when  invited  to  the  nearest  communion 
with  the  King  of  Kings,  should  Christians  seek  so  to 
act  as  may  please  him.  If  David,  under  the  Legal 
Dispensation,  attending  the  sacrifice  of  a  slain  beast 
only,  felt  it  right  to  say,  I  will  wash  mine  hands  in 
innocency,  and  so  will  I  compass  thine  altar,  O  Lord; 
surely  we,  in  commemorating  the  actual  sacrifice  of 
the  Son  of  God,  should  make  similar  preparation. 
These  general  considerations  are  much  strengthened, 
when  we   remember  the  danger  of  unworthy  receiv- 

O O 

13* 


150  ON    PREPARATION 

ing,  and  the  benefits  of  a  due  reception.  We  need 
not,  however,  merely  infer  the  duty  on  these  general 
grounds.  There  is  an  express  direction  of  the  Apos- 
tle— Let  a  man  examine  himself^  and  so  let  him  eat  of 
that  bread,  and  drink  of  that  cup. 

Preparation  may  be  considered  in  two  respects ; 
that  which  is  requisite  before  our  first  reception  of  the 
Lord's  Supper,  and  that  which  it  is  desirable  to  make 
whenever  we  afterwards  receive  it.  We  will  consider 
the  first  now,  and  the  other  in  a  subsequent  chapter. 

The  time  of  first  communicating  is  a  critical  period 
in  a  man's  life,  which  may  much  affect  his  future 
communions,  as  well  as  his  whole  future  life.  If  we 
then  duly  receive,  it  may  be  a  blessing  to  us  ever 
after. 

With  respect  to  the  persons  who  ought  to  communi- 
cate, we  may  notice,  that  to  be  a  right  partaker  of  the 
Lord's  Supper,  a  man  must  be  a  sincere  christian  ; 
one  who  is  sensible  that  he  is  a  fallen,  sinful  creature  ; 
feels  the  guilt  and  corruption  of  his  own  heart ;  has 
repented  of  his  sins  ;  knows  that  there  is  only  one 
way  of  salvation,  by  faith  in  Christ ;  is  looking  to 
him  for  that  salvation,  and  desires  above  all  things  to 
win  Christ,  and  be  found  in  him. 

Bishop  Taylor  justly  remarks,  "  He  that  is  not 
freed  from  the  dominion  of  sin,  he  that  is  not  really  a 
subject  of  the  kingdom  of  grace,  he  in  whose  mortal 
body  sin  does  reign,  and  the  Spirit  of  God  does  not 
reign,  must  at  no  hand  present  himself  before  the 
holy  table  of  the  Lord — He  is  God's  enemy,  and 
therefore  cannot  receive  his  holy  Son."  The  Lord's 
Supper  is  designed  "  for  the  strengthening  and  re- 
freshing of  the  soul,"  and  not  for  the  first  communi- 
cation of  spiritual  life. 


O- 


o- 


-o 


FOR    THE    LORD  S    SUPPER. 


151 


But  as  this  is  a  point  of  some  difficulty,  and  one 
which  is  generally  left  to  each  individual  to  decide 
for  himself,  it  may  be  well  to  enter  more  into  par- 
ticulars. 

As  to  OPEN  SINNERS,  the  case  is  perfectly  clear; 
every  Christian  concurs  with  the  exhortation  of  our 
Church;  "Therefore,  if  any  of  you  be  a  blasphemer 
of  God,  an  hinderer  or  slanderer  of  his  word,  an 
adulterer,  or  be  in  malice,  or  envy,  or  in  any  other 
grievous  crimes,  repent  you  of  your  sins,  or  else 
come  not  to  that  holy  table ;  lest  after  the  taking  of 
that  holy  sacrament,  the  Devil  enter  into  you  as  he 
entered  into  Judas,  and  fill  you  full  of  all  iniquities, 
and  bring  you  to  destruction  both  of  body  and  soul." 

The  primitive  churches  were  very  particular  on 
this  point.  "  Let  no  Judas,"  says  Chrysostom,  "  no 
lover  of  money,  be  present  at  this  table  ;  he  that  is 
not  Christ's  disciple,  let  him  depart  from  it.  Let  no 
inhuman,  no  cruel  person,  no  uncompassionate  man, 
or  unchaste,  come  hither.  I  speak  this  to  you  that 
administer,  as  well  as  to  those  that  partake. 

Indeed  it  is  both  prejudicial  and  unprofitable  to  the 
wicked.  Just  as  the  rain  that  falls  upon  a  rock,  does 
not  penetrate,  and  soften,  and  fertilize  it,  but  ever  runs 
ofF  from  it ;  so  the  wicked,  by  their  sinful  and  hard 
hearts,  repel  that  gracious  influence  which  would 
otherwise  enter  and  bless  their  souls. 

But  while  the  case  is  clear  as  to  open  sinners,  there 
is  a  laro-e  class  of  persons,  in  the  main,  of  a  moral 
character,  but  who  manifestly  have  not  that  spiritual 
mind  which  is  life  and  peace,  who  are  walking  not  after 
the  spirit  hut  after  the  flesh,  and  we  cannot  recommend 
such  persons,  while  in  this  state  of  mind,  to  go  to  this 
table.     Let  them  repent  and  helieve  the  Gospel,  and 

6 ~ 


■o 


G G 

152  ON    PREPARATION 

then  come.  The  graces  of  repentance,  faith,  humili- 
ty, charity,  and  the  like,  are  needful  to  a  due  recep- 
tion  of  the  Lord's  Supper.  Men  are  destitute  of  these 
by  nature ;  and  till  the  Holy  Ghost  be  received,  there 
are  none  of  these  evidences  of  spiritual  life.  Now 
if  we  give  ever  so  much  meat  and*  drink  to  a  dead 
man,  it  can  neither  bring  him  to  life,  nor  nourish 
him ;  and  so  this  holy  ordinance  cannot  profit  a  man 
dead  in  sins,  and  without  a  spiritual  appetite  and 
spiritual  dispositions. 

Yet  on  the  other  hand,  it  may  be  observed,  for  the 
comfort  of  humble  Christians,  who  are  sometimes  in 
a  great  strait  between  a  sense  of  their  unfitness,  and 
the  obligation  of  a  plain  command,  that  this  ordi- 
nance requires  not  perfection  in  any  grace  in  those 
who  come.  If  a  man  have  but  the  very  beginnings 
of  holy  dispositions,  let  him  come  to  have  them 
strengthened.  The  remarks  of  one  of  the  Reformers 
(the  great  Calvin)  on  this  point  may  help  the  reader 
to  come  to  a  right  decision.  Speaking  of  those  for 
whom  this  ordinance  is  intended,  he  says,  "  Let  us 
remember,  that  this  sacred  banquet  is  medicine  to 
the  sick,  comfort  to  the  sinner,  alms  to  the  poor ;  but 
that  it  would  confer  no  advantage  on  the  healthy,  the 
righteous,  and  the  rich,  if  any  such  could  be  found. 
The  best  and  only  worthiness  that  we  can  present  to 
God,  is  to  offer  him  our  vileness  and  unworthiness, 
that  he  may  make  us  worthy  of  his  mercy  ;  to  despair 
in  ourselves,  that  we  may  find  consolation  in  him  ;  to 
humble  ourselves,  that  we  may  be  exalted  by  him  ;  to 
accuse  ourselves,  that  we  may  be  justified  by  him." 
Speaking  afterwards  of  the  necessity  of  faith  and 
charity,  he  says,  "There  are  those  who  have  fallen 
into  a  considerable  error  respecting  the  degree  of  these 
O , o 


0-^ — >  -■      -  -■        — — — — . 0 

FOR  THE  lord's  SUPPER.  153 

graces,  requiring  a  perfection  of  faith  to  which  no- 
thing can  approach,  and  a  charity  equal  to  that  which 
Christ  has  manifested  towards  us.  But  by  this  requi- 
sition they  exclude  all  men  from  access  to  this  sacred 
supper.  For  if  their  opinion  were  admitted,  no  person 
could  receive  it  but  unworthily ;  since  all,  without  a 
single  exception,  would  be  convinced  of  their  imper- 
fections.  And  surely  it  must  betray  extreme  igno- 
rance to  require  that  in  the  reception  of  the  sacrament, 
which  would  render  the  sacrament  unnecessary  and 
useless ;  for  it  was  not  instituted  for  the  perfect,  but 
for  the  imperfect  and  feeble ;  to  awaken,  excite, 
stimulate,  and  exercise  their  graces  of  faith  and 
charity,  and  to  correct  the  defects  of  both." 

Let  us  now  proceed  to  consider  more  particularly 
how  we  may  prepare  for  that  ordinance  which  the 
Lord  has  instituted. 

A  KNOWLEDGE  Of  ITS  nAturEI  is  in  the  first  place 
requisite,  that  when  we  come  to  his  table,  we  may 
discern  ike  Lord's  body.  The  previous  chapter  will, 
we  trust,  have  given  you  sufficient  information  on 
this  point.  Read  over  to  yourselves  those  parts  of 
Scripture  which  dwell  on  Christ's  atonement,  (as 
Isaiah  liii.)  and  his  death,  (as  John  xix.)  the  nature 
of  the  New  Covenant,  (as  Heb.  viii.)  the  accounts  of 
this  institution  given  in  the  Holy  Scriptures,  (Matt. 
xxvi.  26-30 ;  Mark  xiv.  22-26  ;  Luke  xxii.  15-20  ; 
1  Cor.  x.  16-18  ;  xi.  17--34.)  and  our  Lord's  state- 
ments respecting  the  nature,  necessity,  and  advantages 
of  faith  in  him,  John  vi.  28-71.  Remember,  it  is 
intended  to  bring  to  your  remembrance  Christ's  death 
as  a  sacrifice,  taking  away  your  sins  ;  it  represents 
that  death  to  you  ;  it  instructs  you  in  the  nature  and 
need  of  faith  in  him ;  it  offers  afresh  his  benefits  to 

o o 


o 0 

154  ON    PREPARATION 

you ;  and,  rightly  received,   assures  you  of  your  in- 
terest in  them. 

Self-examination  as  to  the  state  of  your  own 
MIND  AND  heart,  is  another  material  point.  By  self- 
examination  we  mean  a  diligent  search  into  the  true 
state  of  our  character,  as  it  is  in  the  sight  of  God,  by 
comparing  it  with  his  holy  word. 

Remember,  before  you  begin  this  work,  that,  how- 
ever vile  and  evil  your  heart  may  be  found,  still 
the  Gospel  of  Jesus  provides  a  full  remedy :  Jesus  is 
the  Saviour  of  the  chief  of  sinners,  and  will  reject 
none  that  come  to  him.  He  is  more  full  of  truth  and 
grace,  than  you  are  of  sin.  With  these  views  you 
will  not  be  afraid  to  discover  and  bring  to  light  the 
very  worst  sins  which  you  have  committed,  and  with 
these  views  it  will  also  be  more  easy  to  discern  any 
graces  which  his  Spirit  may  have  wrought  in  you. 
Though  his  table  is  for  his  children,  his  Gospel  is  for 
every  creature.  Believe  his  Gospel,  and  then  you 
become  his  child,  (John  i.  12.)  and  shall  be  welcome 
to  his  table. 

You  have  not  to  examine  whether  Christ  will  re- 
ceive such  a  sinner  as  you  are.  There  can  be  no 
question  raised  upon  that:  he  invites  you  to  come, 
(Matt.  xi.  28.)  and  you  have  only  to  believe  his  word, 
and  go  to  him  in  the  conviction  of  its  truth.  Your 
proper  inquiries  are,  whether  you  have  come  to  him  ? 
whether  you  are  already  in  a  state  of  salvation?  and 
if  sOj  whether  you  are  growing  in  grace,  and  in  the 
knowledge  of  Jesus  ? 

There  are  holy  dispositions  and  tempers,  there  is  a 
peculiar  conduct  and  conversation,  stated  in  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  as  marking  the  character  of  all  the  chil- 
dren of  God.  And  then,  with  more  especial  reference 
,— o 


O ; O 

FOR  THE  lord's  SUPPER.  155 

to  our  receiving  the  Lord's  Supper,  the  intention  of 
mind  in  going  to  this  table  should  be  examined. 
There  may  be  wrong  motives  for  going ;  as,  to  obtain 
a  religious  character  ; — from  an  idea  of  thereby  merit- 
ing  divine  blessings  ; — because  others  go  ; — or  merely 
to  gratify  our  friends.  These  are  improper  motives, 
and  should  be  guarded  against.  We  should  be  influ- 
enced to  approach  his  holy  table  simply  by  a  regard 
to  the  authority  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  a  desire  to  obtain, 
in  the  appointed  means,  his  grace  and  blessing.  There 
are,  besides,  qualifications  and  graces  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  suitable  for  the  due  reception  of  the  Lord's 
Supper.  We  should  ascertain  whether  we  possess 
these. 

The  Church  of  England  has,  in  its  Catechism,  given 
very  plain  and  valuable  instruction  on  the  nature  of 
the  duty  of  self-examination  ;  nor  do  I  think  that  I  can 
put  the  subject  in  a  more  instructive  form,  than  by 
bringing  that  before  you.  In  answer  to  the  question, 
"  What  is  required  of  them  who  come  to  the  Lord's 
Supper?"  we  are  told,  "To  examine  themselves 
whether  they  repent  them  truly  of  their  former  sins ; 
stedfastly  purposing  to  lead  a  new  life  ;  have  a  lively 
faith  in  God's  mercy  through  Christ ;  with  a  thankful 
remembrance  of  his  death  ;  and  be  in  charity  with  all 
men."  This  answer  shows  us  that  we  should  examine 
whether  we  do  in  reality  possess  that  repentance,  faith, 
gratitude,  and  charity,  which  are  necessary  to  our  re- 
ceiving the  Lord's  Supper  with  spiritual  benefit.  A 
few  observations  will  now  be  made  on  these  points,  for 
the  purpose  of  assisting  you  in  your  examination. 

Inquire,  then,  as  to  your  repentance.  Do  you 
know  your  exceeding  sinfulness  before  God  ?  You 
cannot  repent  of  your  sins  without  knowing  them ;  noi 


o- 


O 


I : 0 

156  ON    PREPARATION 

can  you  know  them  but  as  you  are  acquainted  with 
the  word  of  God.  By  the  law  is  the  knowledge  of  sin. 
It  is  from  ignorance  of  the  holy  law  of  God,  that  we 
hear  so  many  say,  '  they  are  not  great  sinners— they 
are  not  worse  than  others — and  they  have  never  done 
any  thing  particularly  wrong.'  Even  when  they  ad- 
mit that  they  are  sinners  in  general,  they  will  not  con- 
fess that  they  are  guilty  of  any  one  particular  trans- 
gression, nor  do  they  feel  that  they  daily  come  short  of 
the  glory  of  God.  Alas  !  such  know  not  God's  perfect 
law,  and  are  wholly  ignorant  of  themselves.  They 
may  know  the  character  of  thousands  around  them  ; 
they  may  know  the  histories  of  thousands  of  years  of 
every  country  ;  but  they  know  not  what  is  to  them  the 
most  important  of  all — the  history  of  their  own  hearts, 
and  their  own  lives.  We  are  not  only  sinners  in 
general,  but  we  never  did  one  thing  wholly  free  from 
sin.  We  are  born  in  a  sinful  world,  prone  to  iniquity 
from  our  earliest  years,  and  through  the  whole  course 
of  our  lives  we  have  been  offending  God.  Every  day, 
from  our  rising  up  to  our  lying  down,  in  many  things 
we  offend.  For,  what  is  sin  1 — not  merely  what  man 
will  acknowledge  to  be  wrong,  or  what  human  laws 
punish  ;  but  sin  is  what  God  says  is  wrong.  Sin  is  the 
transgression  of  the  law  of  God.  What  says  that  law? 
It  requires  us  to  love  God  with  all  our  heart,  and  our 
neighbour  as  ourselves.  It  calls  us  to  he  spiritually 
minded.  It  tells  us,  whatsoever  ye  do,  do  all  to  the  glory 
of  God.  The  bare  recital  of  these  things  will  show 
us,  if  we  are  duly  conscious  of  our  state,  that  there  is 
not  a  day  nor  an  hour  in  which  we  do  not  fall  short  of 
God's  requirements,  and  sin  in  his  sight.  The  reason- 
ableness of  God's  law,  his  tender  grace  and  mercy, 
redemption  by  Jesus  Christ,  the  proffered  aid  of  the 
O — . Q 


0 — — '  — -- — — ^0 

FOR  THE  lord's  SUPPER.  157 

Holy  Spirit,  and  the  long-suifering  and  forbearance  of 
God,  are  all  powerful  and  plain  arguments  why  we 
should  keep  his  commandments,  and  therefore  aggra- 
vate our  disobedience.  In  inquiring,  then,  as  to  the 
reality  of  our  repentance,  each  of  us  should  ask  him- 
self, What  are  my  thoughts  of  my  sins  ?  Do  they 
grieve  me  as  being  committed  against  God  ?  Have  I 
another  thought  of  sin  to  what  I  once  had?  Do  1 
loathe  and  hate  sin  as  the  worst  of  all  evils  ?  Have  I 
thus  an  habitual  mourning  for  sin?  a  broken  and  con- 
trite heart?  It  is  the  first  work  of  the  Holy  >Spirit  to 
convince  us  of  sin ;  have  1  sought  the  gift  of  that 
Spirit  ? 

Our  repentance,  if  sincere,  will  be  proved  by  "  sted- 
fast  purposes  to  lead  a  new  life."  Has  the  conviction, 
then,  of  your  sinfulness,  led  you  to  see  your  need  of  a 
new  heart  and  a  new  spirit,  without  which  you  can 
never  lead  a  new  life?  Under  a  deep  conviction  of 
the  infinite  importance  of  fleeing  from  the  wrath  to 
come,  have  you  determined  to  do  so  ?  Have  you,  in 
retirement,  seriously  reflected  on  these  things  ?  Have 
you,  in  short,  come  to  a  deliberate  and  solemn  resolu- 
tion to  give  yourself  up  to  God?  Your  examination 
on  this  point  should  include  an  inquiry  not  only  as  to 
godly  sorrow  for  sin,  but  as  to  the  determination  to  walk 
in  nevbness  of  life. 

Another  material  subject  of  inquiry  is,  as  to  your 
FAITH.  Have  you  a  lively  faith  in  God's  mercy 
through  Christ  ?  Has  the  conviction  of  your  sinful- 
ness led  you  to  seek,  as  a  poor  and  lost  sinner,  those 
mercies  which  are  treasured  up  in  Christ  Jesus?  It  is 
only  those  who  know  and  trust  in  Christ  the  Saviour, 
that  are  in  a  state  of  meetness  for  the  Lord's  Supper. 
And  here  you  have  need  to  watch  against  self-decep- 

Q O 

14 


-0 


158 


ON    PREPARATION 


tion.  Many  think  that  they  have  faith  in  Christ  when 
they  have  it  not.  If  we  were  to  ask  them,  Do  you 
believe  in  Christ  ?  they  would  be  ready  to  take  offence 
at  the  question,  and  to  reply,  "  Do  you  take  me  for  an 
infidel  ?  I  am  a  Christian,  and  of  course  believe  in 
him  ?"  But,  alas !  this  it  not  a  thing  of  course. 
Would  to  God  that  all  who  are  called  Christians  were 
really  trusting  in  Christ  Jesus !  Real  faith  is  not,  as 
you  will  have  seen  in  a  former  chapter,  a  mere  unin- 
fluential  assent  of  the  understanding  to  the  truths  of 
Christianity ;  but  such  a  belief  of  the  gospel  as  leads 
us  to  a  daily  and  hourly  trusting  in  Christ  for  a  supply 
of  all  our  necessities.*  It  does  not  only  produce  a 
mere  outward  profession  of  Christianity,  but  a  reliance 
on  Christ  as  our  Saviour,  a  personal  reliance  on  him 
for  ourselves,  a  coming  to  him  individually  in  our  own 

*  The  nature  of  faith  may  be  illustrated  by  the  following 
circumstance.  In  the  late  winters  in  Londonj  when  distress 
had  been  general,  a  place  was  fitted  up  for  the  reception  of  the 
houseless  poor.  Bills  were  posted  up  in  different  parts  of  the 
town,  directing  persons  where  to  find  this  refuge.  Many  read 
them  out  of  mere  curiosity,  and  fully  assented  to  the  truth  of 
the  fact,  and  thought  nothing  more  about  it ;  but  the  poor  and 
destitute  read  them  as  having  a  deep  interest  in  them,  as  a 
guide  to  direct  them  where  to  go  for  food,  and  lodging,  and  all 
they  needed.  Is  our  faith  in  God's  word  such  as  this?  Does  it 
lead  us  to  Christ  ?  The  same  image  will  further  illustrate  this 
subject.  If  any  who  were  poor  and  destitute  read  the  bills  to 
which  We  have  alluded,  but  did  not  believe  them,  or  thought 
that  if  they  applied  they  vVould  n(jt  be  accepted;  or  if  they  did 
not  come,  because  they  loved  better  to  prowl  about  in  the 
streets,  practise  violence,  and  commit  licentiousness ;  such 
persons  acted  the  very  same  part  with  unbelievers  in  Christ, 
who  may  acknowledge  the  truth  of  what  the  gospel  declares, 
but  still  do  not  individually  come  to  Christ  for  the  blessings 
which  he  has  promised  to  those  who  apply  to  him. 


o- 


-o 


0 o 

FOR    THE    lord's    SUPPER.  159 

case  as  our  Teacher,  and  an  obedience  to  him  as  our 
Governor.  There  is  another  very  common  error,  that 
of  trusting  in  a  vague  notion  that  God  is  merciful,  and 
all  will  be  well.  Is  this  a  lively  faith  in  God's  mercy 
through  Christ  7  far  from  it.  Let  not  a  mere  idle  fancy, 
or  uncertain  notion  like  this,  built  on  no  solid  founda- 
tion, satisfy  you.  You  want  a  lively  faith,  a  faith  that 
leads  you  to  rely  on  the  Saviour,  that  influences  the 
heart,  moves  the  affections,  and  excites  us  to  work  for 
God  ;  and  yet  renounces  all  hope  but  in  Christ  Jesus, 
as  the  channel  through  which  every  blessing  flows, 
the  treasury  of  spiritual  riches,  and  the  fountain  of 
every  good.  Inquire  then.  Where  am  I  fixing  my 
hopes  ?  On  whom  do  I  depend  for  salvation  ?  Is  it 
not  in  part  on  my  own  goodness,  my  own  prayers  and 
endeavours  ?  You  must  indeed  strive,  and  labour,  and 
pray,  or  you  will  never  be  saved ;  but  even  if  you  did 
all  required,  you  are  an  unprofitable  servant ;  and 
with  our  manifold  transgressions  we  are  also  but  as 
condemned  criminals.  God's  mercies  in  Christ  are 
our  only  refuge.  "  So  far  as  you  think  of  doing  any 
thing,  call  it  what  you  may,  with  a  hope  of  being  par- 
doned and  justified  for  its  sake,  so  far  you  reject  the 
only  way  of  salvation,  (Rom.  iii.  4,  5.)  and  have  rea- 
son to  expect  your  portion  with  unbelievers."  We 
must  fix  every  hope  on  the  atonement  of  Christ;  then 
we  shall  discern  the  Lord's  body,  we  shall  eat  his 
flesh,  and  drink  his  blood,  and  be  in  a  prepared  state 
of  mind  duly  to  use  this  ordinance. 

We  should  further  inquire  as  to  our  gratitude. 
Have  we  a  thankful  remembrance  of  the  death  of  our 
gracious  Redeemer  ?  If  your  mind  is  awakened  to  a 
due  sense  of  your  sinfulness  and  ruin,  and  enlightened 
with  a  knowledge  of  the  way  of  salvation  by  Christ 

o o 


©- 


■0 


160 


ON    PREPARATION 


Jesus,  then  the  next  point  of  inquiry  should  be — Is  the 
love  of  God  shed  abroad  in  my  heart  by  the  Holy  Ghost  ? 
Am  I  ever  ready  to  say,  Thanks  be  unto  God  for  his 
unspeakable  gift?  Contemplate  for  a  moment  that 
wonderful  love  of  God,  which,  before  time  began,  plan- 
ned the  way  of  salvation.  Contemplate  the  way  in 
which  this  love  was  manifested.  The  eternal  Word, 
the  Lord  of  Glory,  was  madejlesh,  and  dwelt  among  us. 
Consider  how  much  it  cost.  God  spared  not  his  own 
Son,  but  delivered  him  up  for  us  all.  Contemplate  the 
amazing  benefits,  pardon,  peace,  salvation,  and  eternal 
life,  which  thereby  come  to  us ;  and  then  you  may 
better  iudge  what  a  thankful  remembrance  we  ousht 

JO  o 

to  have.  Ask  yourself,  then,  '  Have  these  things 
deeply  affected  my  heart  ?  Have  they  kindled  within 
me  any  warm  emotions  of  gratitude,  and  called  forth 
my  devout  thanksgiving  ? '  If  we  love  Christ,  we  shall 
think  much  of  Christ.  Those  things  concerning  which 
our  thoughts  most  abound,  mark  the  state  of  the  soul. 
Dr.  Owen  remarks,  "  Let  a  man  profess  what  he  will, 
if  his  thoughts  are  generally  conversant  about  worldly 
and  sensual  things,  he  has  an  earthly  and  worldly 
mind  ;  as  he  thinks,  so  he  is ;  there  is  the  image  and 
likeness  of  the  soul.  If  then  we  are  affected  with  the 
love  of  Christ,  it  will  beget  iti  our  souls  many  thoughts 
of  Christ,  in  oiir  lying  down  and  in  our  rising  up,  in 
our  beds,  in  our  ways,  on  our  occasions,  as  well  as  in 
ordinances.  If  indeed  our  hearts  are  affected  with  the 
love  of  Christ,  our  tlioughts  of  Christ  will  abound,  and 
those  thoughts  will  work  again  on  our  affections,  and 
conform  us  more  and  more  to  the  image  of  Christ." 
Inquire  thus,  if  gratitude  for  the  gift  and  love  of  a 
dying  Saviour  be  a  permanent  and  prevailing  feeling 
in  your  mind,  inducing  you  to  forsake  those  things 


o- 


-o 


o o 

FOR  THE  lord's  SUPPER.  161 

which  would  displease  God,  and  zealously  to  seek  his 
glory.  Is  it  in  this  view  you  go  to  his  table,  saying 
with  David,  /  will  come  into  thy  house  in  the  multitude 
of  thy  mercies  ? 

There  is  yet  another  very  important  subject  of  in- 
quiry— What  is  your  love  to  man  ?  Are  you  in 
charity  with  all  men  ?  The  greatest  knowledge,  a 
faith  that  could  work  miracles,  and  the  most  excel- 
lent gifts,  are  all  vain  without  charity.  This  love  to 
man  is  of  such  importance,  that  our  Lord  gives  an 
express  rule  equally  applicable  here  as  to  the  Jewish 
sacrifices,  and  doubtless  principally  designed  for  the 
use  of  the  Christian  Church — If  thou  bring  thy  gift  to 
the  altar,  and  there  remejnberest  that  thy  brother  hath 
aught  against  thee,*'  leave  there  thy  gift  before  the  altar, 
and  go  thy  way,  first  be  reconciled  to  thy  brother,  and 
then  come  and  offer  thy  gift.  Matt.  v.  23,  24.  An  un- 
forgiving temper,  and  a  prevailing  spirit  of  selfishness, 
a  spirit  of  enmity  and  ill  will,  even  towards  our  worst 
enemies,  are  utterly  unsuitable  with  this  solemn  occa- 
sion, or  with  the  due  worship  of  Almighty  God. 
Inquire  then  whether  you  really  love  your  fellow 
men,  and  what  proofs  you  have  of  this  love.  Do  you 
make  sacrifices  of  your  own  ease,  and  will,  and 
comforts,  for  them  1  Are  you  kind  and  tender  heart- 
ed,   ready    to    forgive,   and    abounding    in    works   of 

*  Augustine  notices  a  point  here,  which,  as  it  may  relieve  the 
anxiety  of  a  timid  mind,  I  gladly  insert :  he  says,  "  the  precept 
is,  if  we  call  to  mind  that  our  brother  has  aught  against  us :  that 
is,  if  we  have  any  way  injured  him,  for  then  it  is  that  he  has 
something  against  us.  For  if  he  have  injured  us,  then  we  have 
something  against  him;  in  which  case  there  is  no  occasion  to 
go  to  him  fur  reconcilement.  You  would  not  ask  pardon  of  the 
man  who  has  done  you  an  injury.  It  is  sutBcient  that  you  for- 
give him  as  you  desire  forgiveness." 

G O 

14* 


o- 


-o 


162 


ON    PREPARATION 


mercy  ?  Are  you  liberal  towards  the  destitute,  gentle 
towards  the  froward,  forbearing  towards  the  impatient 
and  irritating,  and  kind  and  loving  to  your  enemies  ? 
Are  you  pitying  and  praying  for  the  ungodly  ?  Are 
you  delighting  in  and  doing  good  to  the  pious  ?  In  short, 
you  should  inquire — Have  I  that  charity  wTiicli  siiffer- 
eth  long  and  is  kind,  heareih  all  things,  helievet/i  all 
things,  hopeth  all  things,  endureth  all  things. 

A  close  examination  on  these  subjects  is  calculated 
to  produce  that  humble  mind  and  contrite  spirit,  and 
that  sense  of  sinfulness  and  weakness  which  are  most 
especially  adapted  to  the  advantageous  reception  of 
the  Lord's  Supper.  Who  can  question  himself  on  all 
these  points,  without  seeing  his  own  sinfulness  ?  But 
be  not  too  much  discouraged  by  such  a  review  ;  re- 
member, the  real  desire  after  the  grace  of  God  is  a 
sign  that  you  have  a  measure  of  that  grace  al- 
ready. 

Some  on  the  other  hand  rely  on  their  examination 
rather  than  on  Christ,  and  think  that  they  have  made 
their  peace  with  God,  because  they  have  gone  over 
some  questions  of  self-examination,  and  some  prayers, 
and  have  made  some  good  resolutions.  If  these  form 
the  foundation  of  your  hopes,  they  lead  you  from 
dependance  on  the  Saviour,  and  merely  delude  and 
deceive  your  soul.  Self-examination  should  bring 
you  to  Christ,  and  not  take  you  off  from  him.  He 
only  by  his  Spirit  gives  those  graces  and  dispositions 
in  which  faithful  examination  vv^ill  show  you  to  be  so 
greatly  deficient. 

After  having  gone  through  this  examination,  the  all- 
important  questions  will  naturally  arise.  Am  I  a  child 
of  God,  or  not  ?  Am  I  going  to  heaven,  or  not  ? 
Have  I  the  root  of  the  matter  in  me?     No  questions 


G- 


-O 


0 O 

FOR  THE  lord's  SUPPER.  163 

can  be  of  greater  moment ;  and  you  ought  to  have 
some  hope  that  you  can  satisfactorily  answer  them 
before  you  go  to  the  table  of  the  Lord.  We  will  add 
here,  therefore,  some  scriptural  marks,  that  you  may 
know  your  own  character.  You  cannot  indeed  know 
by  any  distinct  revelation,  that  you  are  among  his 
chosen  people  ;  but  he  has  given  in  his  word  various 
descriptions  of  their  graces ;  and  when  the  Holy 
Spirit  has  wrought  these  graces  in  our  hearts,  we  may? 
He  bearing  witness  with  our  spirit,  have  a  full  as- 
surance of  hope,  that  since  we  possess  them,  we  are 
partakers  of  his  salvation. 

1.  A  Christian  has  received  the  Holy  Spirit.  If 
any  man  have  not  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  he  is  none  of  his. 
Rom.  viii.  9. 

2.  A  Christian  has  experienced  a  great  change 
within.  Except  a  man  be  horn  again,  he  cannot  see  the 
kingdom  of  God.  John  iii.  3. 

3.  A  Christian  has  a  teachable  child-like  spirit. 
Except  ye  he  converted,  and  become  as  little  children, 
ye  shall  not  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  Matt, 
xviii.  3. 

4.  A  Christian  has  a  distinct  and  transforming 
view,  through  Christ,  of  the  infinite  excellence  of 
God.  We  all  with  open  face  beholding  as  in  a  glass 
the  glory  of  the  Lord,  are  changed  into  the  same  image, 
from  glory  to  glory,  even  as  by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord. 
2  Cor.  iii.  18. 

5.  A  Christian  has  a  deep  sense  of  his  sins.  Bless- 
ed are  the  ])oor  in  Spirit,  for  theirs  is  the  kingdom  of 
heaven.  Matt.  v.  3.     I  abhor  myself.  Job  xlii.  G. 

6.  A  Christian  trusts  in  Jesus  Christ.  Whosoever 
believeth  in  Him  shall  not  perish,  but  have  everlasting 
life.  John  iii.  16. 

O o 


, , • o 

164  ON   PREPARATION 

7.  A  Christian  loves  Jesus  Christ.  If  any  man 
love  not  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  let  him  be  Anathema 
Maranatha.  1  Cor.  xvi.  22. 

8.  A  Christian  loves  all  the  children  of  God.  We 
know  that  we  have  passed  from  death  unto  life,  because 
we  love  the  brethren.  1  John  iii.  14. 

9.  A  Christian  looks  to  God  as  his  father.  Ye  have 
not  received  the  spirit  of  bondage  again  to  fear,  but  ye 
have  received  the  spirit  of  adoption,  whereby  we  cry, 
Abba,  Father.  Rom.  viii.  15. 

10.  A  Christian  loves  the  word  of  God.  His 
delight  is  in  the  law  of  the  Lord.  Psalm  i.  2. 

11.  A  Christian  prays  much  to  the  Saviour.  Who- 
soever shall  call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord  shall  be 
saved.  Rom.  x.  13. 

12.  A  Christian  is  made  holy  and  devoted  to  God. 
Holiness,  without  which  no  man  shall  see  the  Lord. 
Heb.  xii.  14. 

13.  A  Christian  counts  all  he  has  done  nothing 
worth  in  comparison  of  Christ.  I  count  all  things  but 
loss  for  the  excellency  of  the  knowledge  of  Christ  Jesus 
my  Lord.  Phil.  iii.  8. 

Supposing  the  reader  to  have  carefully  gone 
through  these  marks,  and  to  come  to  the  affecting 
conclusion,  I  have  not  these  graces  !  I  am  not  a 
child  of  God  !  Be  it  so :  still  it  is  better  to  know  the 
worst,  for  yet  there  is  hope.  You  should  consider — 
How  vast  the  mercy  that  has  hitherto  spared  you  ! 
How  sweet  the  invitation  that  now  sounds  in  your 
ears,  Whosoever  will,  let  him  take  the  water  of  life 
freely!  How  great  the  encouragement,  Him  that 
Cometh  unto  me,  I  will  in  no  wise  cast  out !  How  im- 
portant the  duty  now.  Seek  ye  the  Lord  while  he  may 
be  found,  call  ye  upon  him  while  he  is  near.  All  your 
O O 


0-. — c 

FOR  THE  lord's  SUPPER.  165 

sin  and  guilt,  so  far  from  being  a  reason  why  you 
should  not  go  to  Christ,  are  the  very  strongest  reasons 
why  you  should,  just  as  you  are,  apply  to  him  with, 
out  delay,  and  seek  salvation  only  in  his  name.  Oh, 
at  length.  Behold  the  Lamb  of  God  which  taketh  away 
the  sin  of  the  world. 

Supposing  you  are  able  to  come  to  no  decisive  con- 
clusion, and  are  perplexed  and  doubtful.  Again  we 
direct  you  to  the  Saviour.  Stay  not  for  ever  question- 
ing whether  you  are  his,  or  have  really  sought  him  : 
now  seek  him ;  go  to  him  now  for  mercy  and  grace, 
if  you  have  never  gone  before.  He  is  a  merciful, 
compassionate,  and  faithful  High  Priest.  He  will 
give  you  his  Holy  Spirit.  The  work  of  your  salva- 
tion is  of  immense  moment.  Lose  no  time.  Trifle 
not.  Give  diligence  to  make  your  calling  and  election 
sure. 

Once  more,  supposing  you  have  a  good  hope  through 
grace,  still  let  your  examination  lead  you  more  simply 
to  Jesus,  that  he  may  multiply  grace,  mercy,  and  peace 
unto  you. 

Meditation  is  both  an  important  and  a  profitable 
part  of  preparation.  We  should  think  much,  and 
deeply,  if  we  would  derive  much  benefit.  Our  chief 
attention  should  be  directed  to  the  sufferings  of  our 
Saviour.  If  those  portions  of  Scripture  which  de- 
scribe his  sufferings,  as  the  22d  Psalm,  the  53d  of 
Isaiah,  and  the  latter  chapters  in  the  four  Gospels,  are 
carefully  perused,  and  dwelt  on  in  patient  and  delibe- 
rate meditation,  our  minds  will,  with  God's  blessing, 
receive  some  holy  impressions,  some  convictions  of 
the  evil  of  sin,  and  some  lively  sense  of  the  love  of 
Christ.  Dr.  Owen  advises,  that  our  meditation  should 
be  regulated  by  our  peculiar  present  condition.     Sup- 

o o 


Q . • O 

166  ON   PREPARATION 

pose,  for  instance,  the  soul  is  pressed  with  a  sense  of 
the  guilt  of  any  sin,  or  of  many  sins,  let  your  prepar- 
atory meditation  be  fixed  on  the  grace  of  God  and  the 
love  of  Jesus  Christ,  as  proved  to  the  very  utmost  degree 
by  his  death.  This  is  suited  to  give  relief  to  your  mind. 
Do  you  lament  that  you  have  not  a  just  feeling  of  the 
evil  of  sin  ?  let  your  meditation  be  principally  directed 
to  the  great  guilt  of  sin  as  represented  in  the  cross,  and 
to  the  severity  of  God  against  it,  as  there  manifested.* 

Judge  Hale  found  it  a  means  of  preventing  wan- 
derings, and  of  fixing  his  mind,  to  commit  his  medita- 
tions to  writing  ;  and  there  would  doubtless  be  much 
advantage  in  putting  down  those  thoughts  which  most 
affect  your  own  heart. 

But  after  all  our  efforts,  let  us  ever  bear  in  mind, 
that  the  true  preparation  of  the  heart  is  from  God 
alone ;  earnest  prayer  is  therefore  both  our  privilege 
and  our  duty.  All  the  gifts  and  qualifications  which 
we  need,  come  only  from  God  ;  and  he  gives  them, 
and  ordinarily  gives  them  only,  to  those  whose  hearts 
he  inclines  to  seek  them  in  prayer.  The  more  earnest, 
and  serious,  and  full  our  prayers  are,  the  greater 
blessings  we  are  likely  to  receive. 

Perhaps  to  knowledge,  self-examination,  medita- 
tion, and  prayer,  may  be  added  expectation,  or  a 
looking  and  hoping  for  the  blessing  connected  with 
this  ordinance.  In  general,  in  proportion  as  we 
expect  the  fulfilment  of  God's  promises,  so  shall  we 
receive,  in  God's  good  time  and  way.  We  should 
inquire.  What  may  I  hope  to  receive  ?  We  should 
expect  a  more  lively  manifestation  of  the  Divine  pre- 
sence, a  more  sensible  communion  with  him,  an  in- 
crease of  the  hope  of  his  glory,  and  the  like.     Before 

*  Some  helps  to  meditation  are  added  in  subsequent  chapters. 

G O 


) 0 

FOR  THE  lord's  SUPPER.  167 

our  Lord  healed  the  two  blind  men,  he  required  them  to 
believe  in  his  ability  to  do  so,  and  then  touched  he  their 
eyes,  saying,  According  to  your  faith  he  it  unto  you. 

The  discharge  of  this  duty  of  preparation  requires 
some  STATED  TIME.  Mr,  Earle  remarks,  "  It  concerns 
me  to  prepare,  that  I  may  be  a  welcome  guest,  and  a 
worthy  receiver.  To  prepare  !  though  the  expression 
be  short,  it  is  comprehensive,  and  I  shall  find  it  implies 
more  work  than  can  be  crowded  into  a  little  time,  or 
done  with  a  little  pains.  Let  me  therefore  redeem 
some  time  from  my  business,  or  at  least  from  my  plea- 
sures, before  the  week  be  far  advanced,  that  unforeseen 
occurrences  may  not  deprive  me  of  an  opportunity  to 
dress  my  soul  for  the  glorious  solemnity,  and  put  me 
upon  the  unhappy  plunge  of  missing  the  feast,  or  want- 
ing the  wedding  garment."  There  is  much  truth  in 
these  remarks ;  yet  it  may  well  be  doubted,  whether 
it  be  expedient  to  make  so  much  of  a  given  time  for 
preparation,  as  to  hinder  Christians  from  that  which 
was  the  primitive  plan — frequent  communion.  Some 
have  time  at  their  command,  others  have  not ;  and  the 
period  of  time  to  be  given  to  the  duty  of  preparation 
will  vary  accordingly.  But  in  general  most  persons 
might,  were  they  in  earnest,  give  some  stated  and  un- 
interrupted time  to  this  great  work.  It  has  been  oh- 
served,  "  your  profiting  will  for  the  most  part  be  pro- 
portioned to  the  diligence  with  which  you  prepare.  It 
may  also  be  remarked,  that  in  all  cases  miich  time 
may  be  saved  by  watchfulness  to  improve  opportuni- 
ties. By  edifying  conversation,  particularly  in  going 
to  and  returning  from  church,  we  may  redeem  time. 
Remember,  our  Saviour  notices  what  passes  in  mutual 
discourses.  What  manner  of  communications  are  these 
that  ye  have  one  to  another  as  ye  walk  7 


o- 


o o 

168  ON    PREPARATION 

Be  not  discouraged  as  if  you  were  to  be  perfect 
before  you  go ;  this  very  institution  is  designed  as  a 
help  for  your  imperfections  and  weakness.  "  If  we 
were  perfect,  we  should  not  need  it."  Guard  also 
against  two  opposite  evils,  self-righteous  formality  in 
preparation,  and  slothful  self-indulgence  in  neglecting 
to  prepare.  As  to  self-righteous  views  of  ourselves,  it 
was  a  remark  of  Luther's,  "  Never  are  men  more  un- 
fit than  when  they  think  themselves  most  fit,  and  best 
prepared  for  their  duty ;  never  more  fit  than  when 
most  humbled  and  ashamed,  in  the  sense  of  their  own 
unfitness."  We  must  not  rest  on  the  exactness  of  our 
preparation,  whatever  it  may  have  been,  but  come  only 
in  the  name  of  Jesus.  There  is  a  tendency  also  in 
our  minds,  to  be  very  careful  not  to  sin  before  we  re- 
ceive the  Lord's  Supper,  and  afterwards  to  be  too  care- 
less about  sinning.  Let  us  watch  against  this  self- 
righteous  spirit,  while  we  foster  and  cherish  those  more 
serious  and  devout  thoughts,  and  those  greater  long- 
ings after  Christ  and  his  blessings  which  we  may  ex- 
perience at  that  time. 

Seek  to  prepare  in  dependance  on  the  grace  of  God, 
and  as  his  appointed  means  for  obtaining  a  blessing, 
and  such  a  preparation  will  discover  to  you  more  of 
your  sinful  and  lost  condition  ;  and  thus  the  atonement 
of  Christ,  and  the  gift  of  his  holy  Spirit,  will  be  un- 
speakably precious  to  you,  and  you  will  go  to  his  table 
hungering  and  thirsting  after  righteousness.  Then,  in 
partaking  of  the  memorials  of  his  death,  you  will  re- 
ceive the  pledges  of  his  love,  and  the  assurance  of 
your  interest  in  his  great  salvation.  You  will  enjoy 
communion  with  him  and  his  people,  and  probably 
gain  some  foretaste  of  those  unspeakable  pleasures 
which  are  at  his  right  hand  for  evermore. 
G O 


o . — o 


CHAPTER  II. 

HELPS    FOR    SELF-EXAMINATION,    AND    PRATERS. 

In  the  preceding  chapter,  the  subject  of  self-exam- 
ination, as  a  part  of  preparation  needful  before  the  first 
reception  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  has  been  already  con- 
sidered. But  as  self-examination  is  a  duty  of  con- 
tinual recurrence,  we  will  endeavour  to  give  some 
farther  help  to  the  constant  performance  of  it,  and 
show  how  it  may  be  profitably  varied. 

Well  would  it  be  for  Christians,  if  they  were  in  the 
habit  of  close  daily  self-examination.  It  is  not  indeed 
easy,  or  perhaps  practicable,  for  those  engaged  in  all 
the  bustle  of  business  in  large  cities,  to  give  much 
time  to  this  work  ;  but  what  Christian  could  not  pause 
for  a  few  moments  before  his  evening  prayer,  look 
back  on  the  past  day,  trace  what  has  been  the  course 
of  his  thoughts,  words,  and  actions ;  and  so  be  better 
prepared  for  all  the  parts  of  prayer.* 

But  before  the  reception  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  the 

*  The  following  questions  have  been  recommended  for  this 
purpose. 

Questions  for  the  Evening. 

1.  What  mercies  have  I  received  this  day;  answers  of  prayer; 
deliverance  from  evil ;  common  or  remarkable  blessings  ? 

2.  What  sin  have  I  committed  ?     What  duty  omitted  ? 

3.  What  have  I  done,  endeavoured,  or  designed  for  the  glory  of 
God,  or  the  good  of  my  neighbours ;  or  what  opportunities 
have  I  neglected  of  promoting  them  ? 

o o 

15 


, , — 0 

170  HELPS   FOR    SELF-EXAMINATION, 

duty  cannot,  in  ordinary  cases,  be  neglected  without 
the  breach  of  a  divine  precept,  Let  a  man  examine  him- 
self, and  so  let  him  eat  of  that  bread  and  drink  of  that 
cup.  A  watch  requires  not  only  to  be  wound  up  daily, 
but  at  occasional  intervals  a  particular  looking  into, 
to  be  cleaned  and  oiled  afresh. 

These  general  directions  may  with  advantage  be 
first  attended  to. 

1 .  Let  a  fixed  time  be  set  apart,  before  you  re- 

4.  With  what  success  have  I  encountered  those  sins  to  which 
my  circumstances  or  constitution  most  incline  me;  passion, 
sloth,  impurity,  intemperance,  vanity,  &c. 

5.  Have  I  been  looking  to  Jesus  as  my  righteousness,  my 
strength,  and  my  example  ? 

6.  How  have  I  improved  my  time  this  day  ?  Have  I  made  any 
progress  in  religion  ?  Have  I  thought  of  death  and  judgment  ? 
Have  I  walked  with  God  ? 

7.  Have  I  prayed,  and  how  ?  Have  I  read  the  Scriptures,  and 
how  ? 

8.  V/hat  mercy  do  I  want  for  soul  or  body,  myself,  or  my  re- 
lations, that  I  may  now  ask  it? 

9.  Have  I  remembered  my  promises  made  at  the  last  sacra- 
ment, and  how  have  I  performed  them  ? 

Questions  for  the  Morning. 

1.  Did  I  read  and  pray,  meditate,  and  examine  myself  last 
night ;  and  in  what  manner  ? 

2.  Did  I  think  of  God  the  last  thing  on  lying  down,  and  the 
first  thing  on  rising  up  ? 

3.  What  sin  have  I  committed  in  thought,  word,  or  deed;  and 
what  duty  has  been  omitted  since  the  last  evening  ? 

4.  What  occasions  may  I  probably  have  this  day  of  serving 
God,  and  benefitting  my  neighbour  ? 

5.  To  what  temptations  am  I  likely  to  be  exposed  ? 

6.  What  mercies  have  I  received,  and  what  blessings  do  I  now 
need  ? 

7.  Is  it  my  desire  to  live  this  day  by  the  faith  of  the  Son  of 
God  ?    Gal.  ii.  20. 

G O 


G ■ ' O 

AND    PRAYERS.  171 

ceive  the  communion,  for  this  duty.  It  is  a  duty 
that  cannot  be  discharged  incidentally,  or  in  a  mo- 
ment, nor  without  some  self-denial  and  resolution. 
Something  has  already  been  said  on  this  subject  ;*  but 
with  reference  to  that  examination,  which  is  always 
desirable  when  we  from  time  to  time  receive  the  Lord's 
Supper,  some  further  remarks  may  be  made. 

Dr.  Owen  gives  the  following  sensible  directions  on 
this  point ;  ''  Take  care  that  the  time  to  be  spent  in 
preparation,  neither  intrenches  on  the  occasions  of  the 
outward  man,  nor  on  the  weakness  of  the  inward  man. 
If  it  does,  they  will  be  too  hard  for  us.  There  is  a 
double  direction  in  Scripture  ;  one  is,  God  will  have 
mercy  and  not  sacrifice.  When  the  observance  of 
sacrifices  sensibly  intrenches  on  duties  of  mercy,  God 
does  not  require  it.  The  other  is,  bodily  exercise  pro- 
Jiteth  little.  When  we  assign  so  long  a  time  as  wearies 
our  spirits,  and  observe  the  time,  because  of  the  time, 
it  is  bodily  exercise ;  and  when  the  vigour  of  our 
spirits  is  gone,  it  is  not  a  sacrifice  in  which  God  de- 
lights.    Prudence  is  here  required." 

Yet,  on  the  other  hand,  he  remarks,  "  Let  not  the 
time  allotted  be  so  short,  as  to  be  unmeet  for  going 
through  the  duty  effectually.  Men  may  be  ready  to 
turn  their  private  prayers  into  a  few  ejaculations,  and 
going  in  and  out  of  a  room,  may  serve  them  for  pre- 
paration for  the  most  solemn  ordinance.  This  has  lost 
us  the  power,  the  glory,  and  the  beauty  of  our  profes- 
sion,  which  are  greatest  and  brightest  when  Christians 
are  most  exact  in  preparation  for  their  duties.  After 
particular  sins  and  mercies,  or  before  particular  duties, 
we  should  also  add  a  more  solemn  preparation." 

*  See  chap.  i.  part  ii. 

G O 


o — 

172  HELPS    FOR    SELF-EXAMINATION, 

It  is  impossible  to  give  any  rule  as  to  the  length  of 
time  that  should  be  given.  The  obligations  of  persons  . 
varies  with  their  situations  and  circumstances ;  but 
we  apprehend  even  those  most  limited  for  time,  might, 
by  due  efforts,  even  if  the  time  were  redeemed  from 
sleep,  (in  which  they  would  only  copy  the  highest 
example,  Luke  vi.  12.)  give  at  least  an  hour  to  this 
duty,  on  some  day  previous  to  that  on  which  they  re- 
ceive the  Lord's  Supper.  Those  of  more  leisure 
might  give  several  hours.  Give  such  time  as,  con- 
sistently with  your  other  duties,  you  can  spare ;  but 
let  the  time  in  every  case  be  so  employed,  not  as  a 
task  but  as  a  blessing  ;  not  merely  as  a  requirement, 
but  as  a  privilege  and  advantage.  Indeed  you  may 
be  assured,  as  the  result  of  the  experience  of  many, 
that  the  more  close,  and  faithful,  and  diligent  you  are 
in  self-examination,  the  more  comfort  and  benefit  you 
are  likely  in  the  result  to  receive. 

But  it  may  be  asked,  Is  a  man  never  to  receive 
the  Lord's  Supper,  without  a  minute  and  particular 
self-examination.  We  may  distinguish  between  the 
younger  Christian,  in  his  first  approach  to  this  holy 
table,  and  the  more  advanced  Christian,  steadily 
persevering  in  the  ways  of  God.  In  our  early  re- 
ception of  the  Lord's  Supper,  great  care  and  attention 
in  preparation  is  of  peculiar  importance  and  benefit. 
But  an  advanced  Christian,  who  has  known  and  loved 
the  truth  for  many  years,  and  gradually  been  growing 
in  grace,  has,  to  a  certain  degree,  an  habitual  pre- 
paration. Should  he  unexpectedly  find  the  Lord's 
Supper  to  be  administered,  we  doubt  not  he  would 
receive  it  with  much  advantage,  without  any  other 
than  this  habitual  preparation  of  mind.  Yet  even  to 
him,  we  are  persuaded,  it  would  be  profitable  to  in- 
)_ o 


I o 

AND   PRAYERS.  173 

quire  into  the  course  of  his  conduct  since  he  last 
received;  and  to  him  the  season  of  retirement  and 
self-reflection,  to  which  this  ordinance  calls  us,  is  a 
matter  of  great  and  incalculable  benefit. 

Yet  beware  of  formality  and  self-righteousness. 
The  author  cannot  but  fear  that  the  general  use  of 
"  The  Week's  Preparations,"  however  well  intended 
by  those  who  published  them,  or  those  who  read 
them,  tends  to  build  up  a  person  in  a  fancied  worthi- 
ness and  righteousness  of  his  own,  which  is  supposed 
to  fit  him  to  receive  those  spiritual  blessings  which  the 
Gospel  shows  are  freely  given  to  the  unworthy ;  or 
else  tends  to  sink  him  into  a  mere  formal  act  without 
spirit,  life,  or  benefit.* 

A  second  general  direction  that  may  be  useful  is 
this,  Consider   the  holy   scriptures  as  the  great 

TEST     BY    WHICH    YOU    ARE    TO    TRY    YOURSELF.        They 

are  the  only  true  standard  of  self-examination  ;  the 
touchstone  which  discovers  at  once  the  character  of 
the  metal.  But  as  the  sacred  volume  is  far  too  large 
to  be  gone  through  at  any  particular  time,  we  would 
recommend  the  following  plan,  which  has  been  found 
useful.  When  you  endeavour  to  ascertain  if  you 
repent  of  sin,  read  the  51st  Psalm,  and  compare  the 
state  of  your  own  views  and  feelings  with  those  of 
penitent  David.  When  you  examine  whether  you 
have  a  lively  faith,  read  the  11th  of  Hebrews,  and 
notice  there  the  effects  of  true  faith,  and  inquire  how 

*  The  new  Week's  Preparation  is  defective  and  erroneous  in 
its  statement  respecting  the  way  of  salvation,  attributing  to 
hearty  repentance  and  sincere  obedience,  that  title  to  everlast- 
ing life,  which  the  Scriptures  ascribe  only  to  the  unmerited 
grace  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus,  received  through  faith,  the  gift 
of  God. 

6 o 

15* 


0- ( 

174  HELPS    FOR    SELF-EXAMINATION, 

your  faith  influences  you.  When  you  try  your  state 
of  mind  as  to  a  sense  of  God's  mercy,  read  the  103d 
Psalm,  and  compare  your  affections  with  those  of  the 
grateful  Psalmist.  When  you  would  ascertain  the 
state  of  your  soul  as  to  its  desires  towards  God,  read 
with  this  view,  Psalm  63,  or  84.  When  you  wish  to 
learn  your  true  character  as  to  charity,  read  the  13th 
of  the  1st  of  Corinthians,  and  thus  discover  your  real 
state.  The  ten  Commandments,  the  15th,  24th,  26th, 
119th,  and  other  Psalms,  the  Beatitudes,  (Matt,  v.) 
and  the  whole  sermon  on  the  mount,  the  1st  Epistle  of 
St.  John,  and  many  other  parts  of  the  Scriptures,  might 
be  mentiorted  as  peculiarly  adapted  to  this  purpose. 
By  thus  comparing  your  state  with  the  most  practical 
and  spiritual  parts  of  the  word,  and  varying  those 
parts  from  time  to  time,  you  try  yourself  by  a  perfect 
and  infallible  standard.  Several  specimens  of  ques- 
tions for  self-examination  on  this  plan,  are  .given  in 
this  chapter. 

It  has  also  been  found  advantageous  when  reading 
practical  books,  such  as  Doddridge's  Rise  and  Pro- 
gress, Beveridge's  Private  Thoughts,  Leighton's 
Works,  AUeine's  Alarm,  Walker's  Christian,  Hall's 
Christian  Laid  Forth,  and  similar  practical  treatises, 
to  make  use  of  them  as  a  means  of  self-examination, 
noting  down  what  strikes  your  mind  as  displaying 
your  true  character  before  God.  The  sermons  which 
you  hear  every  Sunday,  furnish  you  with  another  test 
by  which  to  trv*  yourself  A  point  of  inquiry-  that 
may  often  advantageously  occupy  our  attention,  is  our 
fidelity  in  our  peculiar  circumstances,  and  in  the  dis- 
charge of  relative  duties.  What  does  my  situation 
require  ?  What  are  my  difficulties,  temptations,  and 
dangers  ?  How  do  I  fulfil  my  duty  as  parent  or 
G '- O 


o o 

AND    PRAYERS.  175 

child,  husband  or  wife,  master  or  servant,  minister  or 
hearer,  brother  or  sister,  poor  or  rich,  in  public  or  in 
private  ?  Here  is  a  large  and  very  important  subject 
for  profitable  self-examination. 

One   more  general  direction  may  be  added — Con- 
duct   THIS     EXAMINATION     IN     THE      SPIRIT    OF     PRAYER. 

If  this  be  neglected,  self-examination  may  only  prove 
a  means  of  delusion  and  danger  to  your  immortal 
soul.  We  are  all  prone  to  think  well  of,  and  to  jus- 
tify ourselves. — The  heart  is  deceitful  above  all  things, 
and  Satan  is  inorenious  to  sucrarest  to  our  minds  many 
excuses  for  our  misconduct.  We  are  prone  also  to 
think  little  of  the  evil  of  sin,  and  to  refer  to  the  false 
standard  of  what  others  are  doing,  rather  than  what 
the  Bible  requires.  Sometimes  also  we  are  tempted 
to  write  hard  and  bitter  things  aorainst  ourselves. 
Self-examination  under  such  influences  may  only  tend 
to  deceive  us  ;  to  harden  us ;  or  to  sink  us  into 
despair.  It  may  thus  fix  us  in  our  errors  v*ith  in- 
creased strength.  Fervent  prayer  is  the  true  remedy 
for  this.  God  who  searches  the  heart,  discovers  its 
true  character  to  those  who  pray  to  him  to  sliovv-  them 
to  themselves.  Observe  how  David  prays. — Examine 
me,  O  Lord,  and  prove  me ;  search  me,  and  know  my 
thoughts ;  look  well  if  there  he  any  icicked  way  in  me, 
and.  lead  me  in  the  way  everlasting.  Psalm  xxvi.  2; 
cxxxix.  23,  24.  It  is  the  special  office  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  which  is  sent  by  Christ  to  his  people,  to  con- 
vince them  of  sin.  Without  his  aid,  our  self-exami- 
nation is  vain.  Let  us  never  then  neglect  to  seek 
that  aid. 

The  advantages  of  occasionally  reducing  to  v.riting 
the  results  of  this  self-examination,  are,  that  it  more 
impresses  your  own  mind  at  the  time,  and  it  may  be 
) '- — O 


o- 


-o 


176 


HELPS    FOR    SELF-EXAMINATION, 


easily  referred  to  afterwards.  Why  should  not  the 
Christian  jfind  as  much  advantage  in  making  from 
time  to  time  an  accurate  estimate  of  the  state  of  his 
heart,  as  a  merchant  does  in  keeping  accounts  of  his 
gains  and  losses,  and  making  an  accurate  estimate  of 
the  true  state  of  his  affairs.  Having  given  these 
general  directions,  we  will  proceed  to  give  more  par- 
ticular hints  for  helping  in  this  important  duty. 
Let  us  always  begin  it  with  prayer. 

A    SHORT   PRAYER    BEFORE    SELF-EXAMINATION. 

Holy,  holy,  holy.  Lord  God  Almighty,  who  art  of 
purer  eyes  than  to  behold  iniquity,  who  searchest  the 
heart  and  triest  the  innermost  thoughts,  I  beseech  thee 
now  to  assist  me  in  looking  into  my  own  heart,  and 
my  own  life.  The  word  testifies  that  my  heart  is 
deceitful  above  all  things,  and  desperately  wicked  ;  I 
beseech  thee  then  to  show  me  to  myself.  Enable  me 
to  try  myself  by  the  standard  of  thy  holy  word,  and 
by  thy  blessed  Spirit  discover  to  me  the  true  state  of 
my  soul ;  give  me  repentance  for  all  my  past  sins ; 
lively  faith  in  Jesus  Christ,  the  only  Saviour  from  sin ; 
deep  humility  before  thee,  and  such  tempers  and  dis- 
positions as  are  meet  for  those  who  assemble  round 
the  table  of  our  gracious  Redeemer.  These  things 
I  ask  for  his  name's  sake. 

Let  us  now  proceed  to  compare  our  hearts  and 
lives  with  God's  holy  law :  the  following  forms  of 
self-examination  are  added  for  this  purpose. 


O- 


I 
-O 


Q. 


•a^^iaiAM^ 


AND    PRAYERS. 


177 


SPECIMENS   OF    QUESTIONS  FOR   SELF- 
EXAMINATION, 

NO  I.— THE  HOLY  LAW  OF  GOD.    Mark  xli.  30,  31. 

Do  I  love  the  Lord  my  God  with  all  my  heart,  with 
all  my  mind,  with  all  my  soul,  and  with  all  my 
strength  ? 

Do  I  know  any  thing  of  his  glorious  perfections,  and  the  bless- 
ings which  he  has  bestowed? 

Do  I  desire  his  favour,  and  fear  his  displeasure  above  every 
thing  ? 

With  what  feeling  do  I  regard  his  word,  his  house,  his  day,  his 
ordinances,  his  people  ? 

Is  my  mind  in  general  alienated  from  God,  and  forgetful  of  him  .' 

Do  I  think  much  and  frequently  of  him,  and  am  I  zealous  for 
his  glory  .' 

Do  I  enjoy  communion  with  him  when  I  pray  to  him,  or  desire 
this  ? 

Do  I  stfive  to  become  like  him  ^ 

Are  all  the  faculties  of  my  soul  engaged  to  render  him  affection- 
ate, intelligent,  sincere,  and  resolute  service? 

Do  1  love  my  neisfhbour  as  myself? 
Do  I  know  that  all  mankind  are  entitled  to  my  benevolence  and 

love? 
Am  I  free  from  all  malice,  ill  will,  and  enmity  to  every  human 

being? 
Do  I  forbear  doing  to  them  what  I  should  dislike  to  have  done 

to  me,  whether  it  be  fraud,  evil-speaking,  contempt,  or  the 

like  ? 
Do  I  injure  no  human  being  by  dishonesty,  and  if  I  ever   did 

have  1  made  restitution? 
Am  I  actively  desiring,  and  seeking  the  good  of  all  around  me, 

even  as  I  desire  and  seek  my  own  ? 
Ismy  love  to  others  like  that  of  Christ  to  me  ? 
Do  I  love,  not  in  word  only,  but  in  deed)  and  in  truth  ? 


o- 


■o 


Q. -^_ — ^ O 

178  HELPS    FOR    SELF-EXAMINATION, 

What  do  I  do  for  the  relief  of  the  needy  and  destitute  1 

Am  I  seeking  the  salvation  of  my  fellow-creatures  1 

Have  I  such  a  knowledge  of  the  law  as  to  see  that  one  failure 

exposes  me  to  its  penalty  1 
Has  the  law  taught  me  my  sinfulness,  and  as  a  schoolmaster 

led  me  to  Christ  1 
And  does  the  knowledge  of  Christ  make  me  constantly  en- 
deavour to  fulfil  the  law  1 

No.  II.— THE  GOSPEL.    Romans  i.  16,  17. 

Have  I  deeply  felt  my  corruption  and  guilt  before  God '? 

Have  I  seen  my  own  helplessness  as  to  salvation "? 

Do  I  know  and  believe  that  the  gospel  is  the  appointed  and 

only  and  complete  way  of  salvation  1 
Do  I  expect  the  aid  of  divine  power  in  a  Cordial  reception  of  it  1 
Am  I  so  believing  in  Jesus  as  to  rely  on  him  as  my  Saviour  1 
Do  I  knovv  that  God  accounts  men  righteous  through  faith  in 

himl 
Am  I  seeking  righteousness  in  this  way  1 
Is  my  life,  as  it  regards  spiritual  things,  not  a  life  of  sight  and 

sense,  but  of  faith? 
Am  I  truly  gfateful  to  God  for  his  great  salvation? 
Am  I  evidencing  this  by  a  care  to  please  him  in  all  things  1 

No.  III.—REPENTANCE  AND  FAITH.    Acts  xx.  21. 

Do  I  repent  of  my  iniquities  ? 

Am  I  acquainted  with,  and  do  I  love  the  strictness  of  God's 
holy  law  1 

Have  i  any  knowledge  of  the  Divine  purity,  justice,  and  good- 
ness 1 

Have  these  things  led  me  to  see  my  own  exceeding  sinfulness  1 

Have  I  in  consequence  felt  grieved  for  sin  1 

Have  I  determined  to  forsake  all  sin,  however  dear  to  me,  par- 
ticularly my  besetting  sin,  whether  it  be  pride,  envy,  malice, 
covetousness,  wronging  my  fellow-creatures,  im])urity,  fear 
of  m.an,  or  any  other  sin  1* 

*  These  should  be  honestly  searched  out,  and  brought  to  view, 
with  earnest  prayer  for  grace  and  slrengLll  to  renounce  and  resist 
them,  whatever  it  may  cost. 

0- ■ • O 


k 


o 


-0 


AND   PRAYERS. 


179 


Have  I  acknowledged  my  sinfulness  before  God  1 
Have  I  actually  turned  from  my  sins  1 

Do  I  believe  in  Jesus  Christ  as  my  only  Saviour  ? 
Have  I  seen  my  danger  on  account  of  sin  1 
Do  I  know  what  the  Scriptures  say  of  Christ  as  able  to  save  1 
Have  I  seen  that  he  is  full  of  grace  and  truth  1 
Do  I  rely  on  him  for  pardon,  and  for  strength  to  serve  him  1 
Do  I  make  use  of  him,  in  all  his  offices,  as  Prophet,  Priest, 

and  King "? 

No.  IV.— THE  BEATITUDES.    Matt.  v.  3-12. 

Am  I  poor  in  spirit  ? 
Am  I  sensible  of  my  lost  and  undone  condition  1 
Do  I  feel  that  1  am  unable  to  help  myself  1 
Am  I  acquainted  with  the  workings  of  my  own  evil  heart  1 
Do  I  think  meanly  of  myself  1 
Am  I  humble  and  lowly  in  mind,  afFection,  and  conversation  1 

Do  I  mourn  for  sin  ? 

Do  I  see  what  dreadful  evil  sin  has  produced  1 

Do  I  know  that  the  wrath  of  God  is  denounced  against  all  sin  1 

Does  the  suffering  Saviour,  crucified  for  sin,  affect  my  heart 

with  godly  sorrow  1 
Am  I  grieved  for  my  repeated  transgressions  1 

Have  I  Christian  meekness  ? 

Do  I  contend  with  my  proud  and  unholy  tempers  1 

Am  I  patient  under  crosses,  trials,  and  injuries,  and  willing  to 

suffer  reproach  for  Christ's  sake  1 
Do  I  quietly  submit  to  God's  painful  dispensations  1 
Do  I  endeavour  to  unite  afdent  zeal  with  patient  meekness '? 

Do  I  hunger  and  thirst  after  righteousness  ? 
Am  I  deeply  sensible  of  my  want  of  righteousness  1 
Do  I  earnestly  desire  to  obtain  that  righteousness  which  is 

through  the  faith  of  Christ  1 
Do  1  supremely  desire  to  be  wholly  free  from  the  domiiiion,  pol- 
lution, and  power,  as  well  as  from  the  guilt  of  sin  ] 


G- 


-o 


o c 

180  HELPS    FOR   SELF-EXAMINATION, 

Am  T  merciful  ? 

Have  the  miseries  of  others  called  forth  compas&ion  and  efforts 

to  relieve  them  1 
Have  I  sought  to  find  out  the  poor  and  the  afflicted  1 
Have  I  manilested  a  merciful  disposition  towards  all  under  me "? 

Am  I  pure  in  heart? 

Do  the  sins  of  my  heart  gineve  me  1 

Do  I  avoid  all  those  occasions  which  I  have  found  to  be  temp- 
tations to  impurity  1 
Is  my  eye  single,  and  my  heart  one  for  God  1 
Are  all  covetous,  sensual,  and  sinful  desires  mortified  1 

Am  I  a  peace-maker  ? 

Is  my  own  conduct  such  as  not  to  excite  contention  and  dis- 
putes, but  to  diffuse  harmony  and  love  1 

Have  I,  as  much  as  I  could,  promoted  brotherly  affection  and 
union  in  my  family  '? 

Do  I  seek  to  unite  together  those  that  have  disagreed  1 

Am  I  labouring  to  spread  the  Gospel  of  peace  1 

Do  I  suffer  persecution  for  righteousness'  sake  ? 

Is  my  religion  contrary  to  the  course  of  this  world  '? 

Is  all  the  occasion  of  offence  I  give,  my  holy  and  righteous 

conduct  ■? 
Do  the  ungodly  laugh  at,  revile,  or  oppose  my  religion  1 
Have  I  ever  suffered  any  loss  for  conscience'  sake  1 

No.  v.— THE  FLESH  AND  THE  SPIRIT. 

Am  I  sensible  that  in  me,  that  is  in  my  flesh,  dwelleth  no  good 

thing  1 
Have  I  learned  to  distinguish  between  the  motions  of  the  flesh 

and  of  the  Spirit  1 
Am  I  striving  to  live  under  the  influence  of  the  good  Spirit*? 
Do  I  experience  an  inward  conflict  between  the  flesh  and  the 

Spirit  1 
Have  I  crucified  the  flesh,  with  its  affections  and  lusts  '? 
Particularly  do  I  yield  to  any  of  the  following  sins,  in  thought, 

word,  or  deed — 

o o 


o- 


Adultery^ 
Fornication, 

Uncleannesss, 
Lasciviousness, 
Iddlatrv, 
Witchcraft, 


AND    PRAYERS. 

Hatred, 

Variance, 

Emulations, 

Wrath, 

Strife, 

Seditions, 


181 


Heresies, 

Envyings, 

Murders, 

Drunkenness, 

Revellings, 

Or  the  like '? 


Do  I  cultivate  and  seek  to  manifest  all  holy  dispositions  and 
affections,  and  especially  do  I  bring  forth  the  fruit  of  the 
Spirit  as  here  enumerated — 

Love,  I        Long-sufFering,  Faith, 

Joy,  Gentleness,  Meekness, 

Peacej  j        Goodness,  Temperance  1 

No.  VI.— CHRISTIAN  GRACES.  2  Pet.  i.  4-7. 

Do  I  receive  the  promises  of  the  Bible  as  altogether  sure  1 

Do  I  view  them  as  exceeding  great  and  precious  1 

Have  they  led  me  to  fly  from  the  corruption  that  is  in  the 

world  through  lust  1 
Have  they  changed  my  heart,  and  made  me  a  partaker  of  the 

divine  nature  ? 
Am  I  using  diligence  to  add  to  my  faith  in  the  promises  all 

Christian  graces  ? 
Have  I   virtue,  or  holy  fortitude,   in   professing   Christ,  and 

obeying  his  will  ? 
Is  knowledge  associated  with  my  courage,  so  that  my  conduct 

is  judicious  and  discreet? 
Have  I  added  temperance,  restraining  my  sensual  appetite,  and 

being  moderate  in  all  worldly  things? 
Am  I  patient,  quietly  yielding  to  God  ;  meek  towards  the  in- 
jurious; and  persevering  amid  difficulties? 
Have  [  godliness,  sanctifying  my  daily  labours,  by  realizing  the 

presence  of  the  Lord,  and  walking  with  God  ? 
Do  I  practise  brotherly  kindness,  unfeignedly   and  fervently 

loving  my  fellow  Christians? 
To  this  do  I  add  charity,  or  extended  love  to  all  mankind  ? 

No.  VII.--EARTHLY  AND  HEAVENLY  WISDOM. 

James  iiii  15-17. 

Am  I  manifesting  envying  or  strife  1 

Am  I  looking  mainly  for  earthly  distinctions,  or  seeking 
worldly  advantages  rather  than  God's  favour  ? 


o- 


16 


-o 


-o 


182 


HELPS   FOR    SELF-EXAMINATION, 


Do  I  yield  to  sensual,  or  carnal  desires  and  passions  ? 

Have  I  any  tendencies  to  that  which  is  devilish,  proudj  am- 
bitious, and  self-conceited  ? 

Do  I  look  to  God  alone  to  deliver  me  from  earthly,  and  to  be^ 
stow  upon  me  heavenly  wisdom  ? 

Have  I  true  wisdom,  ^t<re  in  its  object,  motives,  and  tendency  ? 

Is  my  conduct  peaceable,  gentle,  and  easy  to  be  intreated  7 

Is  my  life  full  of  mercy  and  good  fruits  7 

Am  I  free  from  partiality  to  those  whom  I  naturally  prefer  ? 

Am  I  without  hypocrisy,  and  not  desirous  of  appearing  better 
than  I  am  ? 

No.  VIIL— THE  TALENTS  ENTRUSTED  TO  US. 
Matthew  xxv.  15. 

Have  I  ever  seriously  thought  that  I  am  accountable  to  God  for 
all  I  have  ? 

Have  I  considered  what  gifts  he  has  bestowed,  and  how  I  may 
use  them  for  his  glory  1 

Am  I  using  the  powers  of  my  body  and  mind  in  his  service  1 

Are  my  time,  health,  influence,  authority,  and  property,  de- 
voted to  him  ? 

Do  I  trade  with  my  talents,  carefully  estimating  how  they  can 
be  laid  out  most  for  the  divine  glory  1 

Do  I  thus  act  from  love,  and  not  from  fear,  or  any  idea  of 
meriting  either  heaven  or  grace  by  works  1 

No.  IX.— CHARITY.  1  Cor.  xiii. 

Do  /  count  charity,  or  love,  the  best  gift,  and  the  necessary 

companion  or  fruit  of  true  faith  and  hope  1 
Are  the  following  characteristics  of  true  charity  seen  in  my 

daily  dispositions  and  my  course  of  life  \ 


o- 


It  suffereth  long  and  is  kind, 
Envieth  not, 
Vaunteth  not  itself, 
Is  not  puffed  up. 
Doth  not  behave  itself  un- 
seemly, 
Seeketh  not  its  own. 
Is  not  easily  provoked, 

Is  it  my  grief  that  I  have  so  little  of  this  spirit  1 


Thinketh  no  evil, 
Rejoiceth  not  in  iniquity, 
Rejoiceth  in  the  truth, 
Beareth  all  things, 
Believeth  all  things, 
Hopeth  all  things, 
Endureth  all  things. 


-o 


Q _ O 

AND    PRAYERS.  183 

Is  it  my  constant  aim  to  possess  more  of  this  great  gift  that 

never  faileth  7 
Am  I  seeking,  cultivating,  and  praying  for  it  ■? 

No.  X.— CHRISTIAN  MORALITY.     Phil.  iv.  8. 

Do   I  think  on  the  things  that  are  true,  honest,  just,  pure, 

lovely,  and  of  good  report  1 
Do  I  see  my  obligations  to  regard  them '? 
Do  I  endeavour  more  conscientiously  and  constantly  to  practise 

themi 
And  yet  do  I  view  myself  as  an  unprofitable  servant,  and  depend 

on  Christ  alone  1 

No.  XL— THE  CHIEF  MATTERS  OF  THE  LAW. 

Matt,  xxiii.  23. 

Do  I  specially  regard  judgment,  or  justice,  so  as  to  wrong  no 

one  in  any  matter'? 
Do  I  cheerfully  show  mercy  in  dealing  with  all   my  fellow 

creatures,  and  particularly  with  the  poor,  and  afflicted,  and 

those  dependant  on  me  1 
Are  all  my  actions  marked  by  faithy  or  fidelity  and  sincerity, 

both  towards  God  and  man  1 
Have  I  so  attended  to  these  things  as  to  feel  my  sinfulness  and 

short  comings,  and  to  fly  to  Christ  for  pardon  and  strength  1 

No.  XII.— THE  LORD'S  PRAYER.    Matt.  vi.  9 ;  or 
Luke,  xi.  2,  &c. 

Our  Father. 

Do  I  know  that  God  is  a  reconciled  Father,  through  the  death 
of  his  Son  1 

Do  I  look  up  to  God  with  filial  confidence  for  instruction,  pro- 
vision, and  protection! 

Do  I  love  him  better  than  the  dearest  relations  on  earth  1 

Have  I  a  brotherly  affection  to  his  people,  as  being  children  of 
one  parent  1 

Do  I  regard  all  mankind  as  brethren  ? 

Which  art  in  heaven. 
Do  I  stand  in  awe  of  his  power  and  majesty,  so  as  to  reverence 
and  obey  him  1 

o- < 


d)-— — -  ' — — — — 6 

184  HELPS    FOR    SELF-EXAMINATION, 

Have  I  constant,  or  frequent  recollection,  that  his  eye  is  ever 

upon  mel 
Am  I   longing  to  be  where  he  more  immediately   manifests 

himself! 

Hallowed  be  thy  name. 

Is  the  promotion  of  his  honour  and  glory  the  great  object  of 
my  life  ? 

Do  [  seek  to  knoW  God  moi'e  myself,  and  to  diffuse  his  know- 
ledge through  the  world  ? 

Thy  kingdom  come. 

Is  the  kingdom  of  righteousness,  peace,  and  joy  in  the  Holy 

Ghost,  established  in  my  own  heart  1 
Are  the  interests  of  this  kingdom,  and  its  progress  among  all 

people,  zealously  promoted  by  me  ? 
Am  I  looking  forward  to  the  heavenly  kingdom  with  hope  and 

joy  ^ 

Thy  will  be  done  in  earth  as  it  is  in  hfeaven. 

Do  I  rejoice  in  the  unlimited  government  of  God? 

Do  I  strive  to  know  and  follow  his  revealed  will,  copying  Jesus 
and  his  holy  angels  1 

Have  I  cheerfully  acquiesced  in  afflictions  as  coming  ftom  Godl 

Am  I  labouring  that  all  may  know  and  do  his  will,  gladly  as- 
sisting, according  to  my  power,  such  institutions  as  have  this 
object  in  view. 

Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread. 

Do  I  receive  all  temporal  and  spiritual  blessings  as  from  God  1 
Am  I  delivered  from  anxiously  looking  after  future  provision, 

and  do  I  gladly  leave  that  to  God  1 
Am  I  living  by  faith  in  a  daily  and  simple  dependance  on  God  1 

And  forgive  us  our  trespasses,  as  we  forgive  them 
that  trespass  against  us. 

Am  I  deeply  sensible  of  my  daily  and  manifold  trespasses,  and 
earnestly  seeking  forgiveness  1 

0^ o 


O ( 

AND    PRAYERS.  185 

Do  I  rest  on  the  only  ground  of  hope  of  forgiveness — redemp- 
tion through  the  blood  of  Christ? 

Do  I  manifest  the  invariable  temper  of  those  forgiven — forgive- 
ness of  others  1 

Am  I  manifesting  goodness  to  the  evil,  liberality  to  the  needy, 
and  charity  to  all  1 

And  lead   us   not  into  temptation,   but  deliver  us 
from  evil. 

Do  I  carefully  avoid  known  occasions  and  places  where  I  have 

fallen  ? 
Am  I  so  sensible  of  my  own  weakness  as  ever  to  watch  and 

pray"? 
Do  I  remember  that  my  whole  life  is  a  scene  of  trial  and 

probation  ? 
Do  I  desire  deliverance  from  sin  as  the  great  evil,  and  from 

every  sin  ? 
Am  I  going  forth  in  my  own  strength,  or  simply  looking  to 

God  alone  to  help  and  deliver  ? 

For  thine  is  the  kingdom,  and  the  povi^er,  and  the 
glory,  for  ever  and  ever. 

Do  all  my  hopes  of  answers  to  prayer  rest  on  the  perfections 
of  God  1 

Have  I  such  a  knowledge  of  Christ  as  to  see  that  those  perfec- 
tions are  engaged  in  my  behalf? 

Am  I  getting  more  knowledge  of,  and  more  confidence  in,  his 
sovereignty,  his  omnipotence,  his  excellency,  and  his  eter- 
nity ? 

No.  XIII.— RELATIVE  DUTIES.  Col.  iii.  18-25 ;  iv.  1 ;  1  Pet. 
ii.  13-2.5;  iii.  1-9;  Eph.  v.  21-33;  vi.  1-9;  Titus  ii.  1-15; 
iii.  1,  2;  Deut.  i.  17. 

Wives. 

Do  I  submit  to  my  husband  as  is  fit  in  the  Lord '? 
Is  my  adorning  the  ornament  of  a  meek  and  quiet  spirit*! 
Do  I  seek  the  spiritual  welfare  of  my  husband — to  win  him  by 
my  conversation  to  Christ } 

o o 

16* 


o o 

186  HELPS    FOR    SELF-EXAMINATION, 

Husbands. 

Do  I  love  my  wife  even  as  Christ  loved  the  Church,  and  as  my 

own  body  T 
Am  I  ever  bitter  against  her ;  or  do  I  love,  nourish,  and  cherish 

her  as  myself? 

Children. 

Do  I  obey  my  parents  in  all  things  for  the  Lord's  sake  1 
Do  I  not  only  obey,  but  also  honour  my  father  and  mother  T 

Parents. 

Do  I  bring  my  children  up  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of 

the  Lord  1 
Do  I  never  give  way  to  angry  passions,  provoking  my  children 

to  wrath  1 

Servants. 

Am  I  obedient  unto  my  master  with  fear  and  trembling,  in 
singleness  of  heart,  as  unto  Christ  1 

Do  I  labour  with  eye-service,  as  a  man-pleaser,  or  as  a  servant 
of  Christ,  doing  the  will  of  God  from  the  heart  *? 

Do  I  seek  to  please  my  master  well  in  all  things — not  answer- 
ing again  1 

Do  I  show  all  good  fidelity,  not  purloining,  and  thus  to  adore 
the  doctrine  of  Christ  1 

Masters. 

Do  I  give  unto  my  servants  that  which  is  just  and  equal,  re- 
membering my  heavenly  Master. 
Do  I  seek  their  spiritual;  as  well  as  their  temporal  welfare  1 
Do  I  forbear  threatening  1 

Subjects. 

Do  I  honour  the  king  1  and  obey  magistrates  1 

Am  I  subject  to  principalities  and  powers,  and  ready  to  every 

good  work  % 
Do  I  speak  evil  of  no  man,  being  no  brawler,  but  gentle,  and 

showing  all  meekness  to  all  men  1 

o — o 


o- 


■o 


AND   PRAYERS. 


187 


Rulers,  or  Magistrates. 

Do  I  act  without  respect  of  persons,  whether  small  or  great  1 
Am  I  just,  ruling  in  the  fear  of  God*? 

Am  I  using  the  influence  of  my  station  for  the  advancement  of 
godliness  1 

You  will  see  from  these  specimens  how  the  Bible, 
in  all  its  fulness  and  variety,  is  adapted  for  a  perpetu- 
ally varied,  interesting,  and  infallible  test  of  our  cha- 
racter. Any  one  particular  set  of  questions,  or  list  of 
sins  and  duties  for  self-examination,  will  in  time  be- 
come a  mere  matter  of  form,  and  cannot  bring  before 
us  all  those  graces,  tempers,  and  duties,  to  which  we 
are  called  in  the  sacred  Scriptures. 

The  EFFECT  which  our  self-examination  should  have 
upon  us,  deserves  consideration.  Examination  is  in 
order  to  our  conviction  of  sin  on  the  points  in  which 
we  have  failed,  to  our  comfort  in  those  which  God  has 
in  his  mercy  enabled  us  to  fulfil,  and  to  the  quicken- 
ing us  better  to  discharge  our  duties  subsequently. 
We  are  not  the  better  merely  for  asking  ourselves 
questions :  and  we  may  be  the  worse  if  we  put  such  a 
religious  exercise  in  the  place  of  Christ,  the  only  Sa- 
viour. In  those  particulars  in  which  you  find  your- 
self to  be  guilty,  you  should  see  fresh  cause  for  hum- 
bling yourself  before  God,  for  eagerly  applying  to 
Christ,  and  simply  relying  on  him,  and  for  future 
watchfulness  and  prayer.  In  those  particulars  in 
which  your  heart  does  not  condemn  you,  you  will 
doubtless  see  fresh  cause  for  gratitude  to  God  who  has 
preserved  you,  and  for  faith  in  him  still  to  keep  you. 

The  Christian  should  have  his  hope  strength- 
ened. He  should  come,  after  self-examination,  to  a 
comfortable  conclusion,  a  good  hope  through  grace, 
that,  with  all  his  failings,  he  is  a  Christian,  a  child  of 


O- 


-O 


-o 


188 


HELPS    FOR    SELF-EXAMINATION, 


God,  and  an  inheritor  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  He 
may  say,  '  1  know  that  I  have  experienced  a  change 
of  heart ;  for  my  views,  my  feelings,  and  my  affec- 
tions, are  quite  different  to  what  they  once  were.  I 
hate  sin.  1  desire  holiness.  1  see  an  infinite  magni- 
tude in  salvation,  an  infinite  value  in  Christ.  I  love 
his  word,  his  day,  and  his  service,  and  would  not  give 
up  my  hope  in  him  for  all  the  world.  These  are 
views  and  feelings  of  which  I  once  knew  nothing.' 
The  Christian  may  say,  '  I  know  that  1  am  passed  from 
death  unto  life,  because  1  love  the  servants  of  Christ ; 
in  proportion  as  1  see  them  to  be  his,  1  love  them 
wherever  they  are,  or  whoever  they  be ;  and  once  I 
either  despised,  or  cared  nothing  for  them,  or  knew 
them  not.  The  conversion  of  a  soul  to  God  fills  me 
with  gladness.  I  find  God  drawing  my  heart  to  him- 
self,  so  that  I  desire  his  presence,  and  cannot  be  con- 
tent with  the  means  of  grace  without  communion  with 
him  in  them.  He  is  my  portion ;  and  though  it  is  not 
with  me  as  1  would  it  were,  and  I  fall  vastly  short  of 
what  1  ought  to  be,  yet  blessed  be  God  for  these  marks 
of  his  grace.  My  views  of  happiness  show  me  I  am 
his  child.  To  be  free  from  sin,  and  like  God  ;  to 
know,  and  love,  and  serve  him  perfectly — this  is  my 
view  of  happiness.  Communion  with  him  is  my 
highest  joy,  a  joy  which  far  exceeds  all  the  earthly 
pleasures  I  have  ever  experienced.  These  are  not 
natural  feelings,  divine  grace  must  have  made  the 
change.'  Let  the  Christian,  then,  take  the  comfort 
which  this  view  gives.  It  will  fill  him  with  gratitude 
and  love  ;  it  will  not  lead  him  to  pride,  presumption, 
or  a  fancied  superiority  over  others  ;  but  to  self-abase- 
ment, tenderness,  compassion,  and  unwearied  benevo- 
lence. 


O- 


O 


, = ^ o 

AND   PRAYERS.  189 

But  one  important  and  great  result  should  be,  a  firm 
purpose,  by  the  grace  of  God,  to  amend  what  has  been 
amiss.  Such  purposes  should  be  made  seriously,  pru- 
dently, and  sincerely  ;  asking  ourselves  if  we  are 
likely  to  perform  what  we  promise,  and  never  intend 
in  any  circumstances,  for  any  argument,  or  under  any 
temptation,  to  yield  to  sin,  and  then  in  the  conviction 
of  our  own  weakness,  we  shall  look  more  simply  and 
entirely  to  Christ  for  strength,  and  doing  so  shall  ob- 
tain his  help,  and  be  able  to  say,  I  can  do  all  things 
through  Christ  which  strengiheneth  me.  Bishop  Beve- 
ridge,  speaking  of  Christians  discharging  this  duty, 
says,  "  they  must  consider  what  sort  of  temptations 
they  have  been  most  subject  to,  and  oftenest  overcome 
by,  and  must  resolve  never  to  give  way  to  them  any 
more,  but  to  withstand  them  with  all  their  might. 
They  must  consider  what  place,  what  company,  what 
employment,  what  recreations,  or  other  circumstances 
of  their  life,  have  exposed  them  most  to  such  tempta- 
tions, and  have  been  the  chief  occasions  of  their  fall- 
ing into  sin ;  and  must  resolve  for  the  future  to  avoid 
and  forsake  them." 

Nor  let  all  this  be  counted  a  vain  labour.  A  period 
will  arrive  when  we  shall  review  our  whole  life,  and 
we  may  even  now  be  quite  assured  that  "  those  days 
and  hours  which  were  spent  in  prayer,  in  fasting,  in 
examination  of  the  heart,  and  the  exercises  of  faith 
and  repentance,  will  bring  more  true  peace  and  com- 
fort upon  our  death-bed,  than  all  other  times  of  our 
life  besides :"  seeing  they,  through  the  grace  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  discovered  to  us  our  sinfulness  and 
ruin,  and  thus  we  were  led  to  Christ,  the  only  sure 
guide  and  protector,  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of 
death. 

G O 


0 _ . ( 

190  HELPS    FOR    SELF-EXAMINATION, 

The  following  Confession  and  Prayers  may  close 
our  self-examination. 

CONFESSION  OF  SINS  AFTER  SELF-EXAMINATION. 

0  Lord  God  Almighty,  the  Judge  of  all  the  earth, 
keeping  covenant  and  mercy  to  them  that  love  him, 
and  to  them  that  keep  his  commandments,  have  mercy 
upon  me,  a  miserable  sinner,  coming  back  to  thee  in 
the  name  of  Jesus  Christ.  My  conscience  accuses  me 
of  many  transgressions,  and  much  disobedience.  If 
in  any  thing  I  have  not  greatly  sinned,  or  have  in  a 
measure  fulfilled  thy  will,  this  was  owing  to  thy 
watchful  providence,  and  to  thy  restraining  and  quick- 
ening  grace,  and  not  to  my  goodness ;  this  was  thy 
work,  and  to  thee  alone  be  praise.  But,  0  how  un- 
faithful have  I  been  to  my  engagements,  and  how 
often  have  I  transgressed  thy  law,  and  been  disobe- 
dient to  thy  holy  will ! 

1  desire  especially  to  confess  and  bewail  those  sins 
for  which  my  own  heart  more  particularly  condemns 
me. 

[Here  enumerate  those  sins  and  omitted  duties,  which 
have  been  brought  to  your  mind  by  self-examination.^ 

And  how  much  of  my  sinfulness  is  unknown  to  my- 
self! But  Thou  art  acquainted  with  all  my  ways; 
O  cleanse  Thou  me  from  my  secret  faults,  and  from 
all  my  known  transgressions.  Wash  me  in  that  pre- 
cious blood  which  cleanses  from  all  sin.  Give  me 
grace  to  look  to  Him  who  was  pierced  for  my  sins, 
and  to  mourn  for  them  with  that  godly  sorrow  which 
works  repentance  unto  salvation.  O  vouchsafe  unto 
me  a  holy  compunction  of  heart,  a  lively  faith  in 
Christ,  and  a  sure  hope  of  thy  mercy  through  him.     I 

o o 


) o 

AND   PRAYERS.  191 

beseech  thee,  grant  that  I  may,  with  a  pacified  con 
science,  a  believing  and  penitent  heart,  and  a  grateful 
and  thankful  spirit,  commemorate  my  Saviour's  death 
at  his  table.     Hear  me  for  his  name's  sake.     Amen. 

PRAYER    FOR    REPENTANCE. 

O  Thou,  who  by  the  right  hand  of  the  Father  art 
exalted  to  be  a  Prince  and  a  Saviour,  to  give  repent- 
ance and  forgiveness  of  sins :  now,  in  this  accepted 
time,  I  come  to  thee  for  those  great  blessings.  My 
heart  is  hard  and  impenitent,  and  little  affected  by  my 
many  sins  and  thy  great  goodness  ;  I  beseech  thee  take 
away  the  stony  heart,  and  give  me  an  heart  of  flesh. 
Vouchsafe  unto  me  that  broken  and  contrite  spirit 
which  the  high  and  holy  God  will  not  despise.  May 
thy  sufferings,  gracious  Redeemer,  touch  and  melt  my 
soul.  Let  the  goodness  of  God  lead  me  to  repentance. 
Never  leave  me  to  myself  and  my  own  perverse,  way- 
ward, and  wandering  heart.  O  blessed  Jesus,  now 
bring  me  back,  by  thy  Holy  Spirit,  to  thy  heavenly 
Father  and  mine ;  and,  returning  to  him,  may  I  ob- 
tain his  mercy,  and  find  that  he  does  abundantly  par- 
don. 

PRAYER    FOR    FAITH. 

Almighty  God,  Father  of  mercies,  from  whom 
Cometh  every  good  and  perfect  gift,  give  unto  me,  I 
beseech  thee,  grace  to  believe  on  the  name  of  thy 
dear  Son  Jesus  Christ.  Let  me  look  to  Jesus,  dying 
for  my  sins,  rising  again  for  my  justification,  and 
pleading  for  me  at  thy  right  hand  in  heaven.  I  be- 
lieve ;  Lord,  help  thou  my  unbelief!  let  me  be  strong 
in  faith,  giving  glory  to  thee,  and  having  a  full  per- 
suasion that  thou  wilt  perform  all  that  thou  hast  pro- 
mised.    O  help  me  to  count  all  things  but  loss  for  the 

O G 


G- 


-O 


192 


HELPS    FOR    SELF-EXAMINATION, 


excellency  of  the  knowledge  of  Christ  Jesus  my  Lord. 
Enable  me  so  to  believe,  that  Christ  may  dwell  in  my 
heart ;  and  I  may  supremely  love  thee,  my  God,  and 
unfeignedly  love  all  my  fellow-creatures.  Hear  me, 
for  Christ's  sake. 

PRAYER    FOR    GRATITUDE    TOWARDS    GOD. 

O  Lord,  whose  tender  mercies  are  over  all  thy 
works,  and  who  has  chosen  thy  people  to  show  forth 
thy  praises,  circumcise  my  heart  to  love  thee,  my 
God,  with  all  my  mind,  and  with  all  my  soul.  By 
thy  Holy  Spirit  fill  me  with  so  lively  a  sense  of  thy 
love  to  me,  as  displayed  in  the  death  of  thy  Son,  that 
I  may  ever  so  gratefully  remember  that  inestimable 
benefit,  as  to  love  thee  and  cleave  unto  thee,  abound 
in  thanksgiving,  and  keep  all  thy  commandments. 
This  I  ask  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake. 

PRAYER    FOR    CHARITY   TOWARDS    MEN. 

Merciful  and  gracious  Lord,  long-suffering,  and 
abundant  in  goodness  and  truth,  who  alone  canst 
change  and  enlarge  my  selfish  and  contracted  heart, 
[  pray  thee  to  give  me  the  most  excellent  gift  of 
charity.  May  thy  love  to  me  be  so  shed  abroad  in 
my  heart  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  that  I  may  be  full  of 
love  to  others,  forgiving  them,  and  loving  them  even 
as  Christ  loved  me.  Teach  me,  I  pray  thee,  to  love 
others.  O  Lord,  make  me  to  increase  and  abound  in 
love  towards  my  christian  brethren,  and  towards  all 
men,  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake.    Amen. 

PRAYER  REFORE  THE  LORd's  SUPPER. 


Almighty  and  most  merciful  God,  who  will  be  sanc- 
tified in  them  that  come  nigh  thee,  I  beseech  thee  to 


Q- 


-O 


, — 0 

AND   PRAYERS.  193 

prepare  my  heart  for  that  solemn  ordinance,  in  which 
I  have  such  near  access  unto  thee  by  Jesus  Christ. 

Give  unto  me,  I  pray  thee,  all  needful  and  suitable 
graces  and  tempers,  that  in  partaking  of  the  bread 
and  wine,  according  to  the  institution  of  my  Lord  and 
Saviour,  and  in  remembrance  of  his  death,  I  may 
truly  have  the  communion  of  his  body  and  blood. 

T  desire  to  see,  and  to  feel,  the  plague  of  my  own 
evil  heart ;  and  to  come,  weary  and  heavy  laden  under 
the  burden  of  my  many  sins,  to  Jesus  Christ  for  par- 
don  and  relief.  May  I  be  enabled,  in  the  celebration 
of  this  institution,  to  keep  in  view  Jesus  Christ,  and 
him  crucified.  'May  I  enjoy  here  not  only  a  repre- 
sentation, but  a  rich  participation  also,  of  his  dying 
love.'  Give  me  a  lively  and  vigorous  faith  in  him, 
that  I  may  entirely  rely  on  his  merits  for  acceptance 
with  thee,  and  depend  on  him  alone  for  the  supply  of 
all  my  spiritual  wants.  Bring  all  needful  things  to 
my  remembrance,  and  keep  from  me  those  things  that 
would  distract  and  disturb  my  devotion. 

Deliver  me  from  the  evil  and  danger  of  eating  and 
drinking  unworthily,  that  I  may  not  bring  down  judg- 
ments instead  of  blessings.  Put  away  far  from  me 
all  ignorance,  irreverence,  and  want  of  charity.  Let 
me  not  be  under  the  influence  of  a  carnal,  self-right- 
eous, and  worldly  spirit :  lest  in  any  measure  I  become 
a  sharer  in  the  sin  of  those  who  are  guilty  of  the 
body  and  blood  of  Christ. 

Give  me,  also,  I  pray  thee,  all  the  benefits  which 
my  Saviour  did,  by  this  institution,  design  to  convey 
to  his  people.  Teach  me  to  discern  therein  the 
Lord's  body,  and  vouchsafe  to  me  a  large  measure  of 
thy  grace,  that  my  remembrance  of  Christ  may  be 
serious  and  impressive,  and  may  produce  an  increase 

o_ o 

17 


o_ o 

194     HELPS  FOR  SELF-EXAMINATION,  AND  PRAYERS. 

of  penitence,  faith,  gratitude  and  holy  obedience. 
Make  thyself  known  to  me,  O  Jesus,  in  the  breaking 
of  bread.  May  the  Floly  Ghost  produce  in  nf?e  a  com- 
posed, tranquil,  and  devout  spirit  at  thy  table.  I 
desire  there,  O  heavenly  Father,  to  celebrate  the 
death  of  Christ  as  a  sacrifice  taking  away  the  sin  of 
the  world,  and  the  only  foundation  of  every  spiritual 
hope.  I  desire,  while  commemorating  his  death,  to 
remember  his  risen  glory,  and  to  declare  my  expecta- 
tion of  his  coming  again  to  judge  the  world,  and  save 
his  people.  I  pray  that  I  may  find  his  death  made 
efficacious  to  the  mortification  of  all  my  sins. 

O  that  it  may  please  thee  that  pardon,  justification, 
peace  with  God,  sanctification,  the  hope  of  eternal 
life,  and  all  the  blessings  which  Christ,  by  his  death, 
hath  obtained  for  us,  may  now  be  afresh  conveyed 
and  assured  to  me  throusrh  faith  in  him.  Give  me  a 
sweet  sense  of  communion  with  all  true  believers, 
and  of  our  common  union  to  Christ,  the  head  of  his 
Church,  and  our  fellowship  with  him  and  with  each 
other.  Thus  may  love  to  Christ,  and  love  to  all  the 
brethren,  be  greatly  strengthened  and  increased  among 
us.  O  may  we  all  thus  experience  the  Lord's  Supper 
to  be  a  refreshing  means  of  grace,  so  that  we  may 
return  from  thy  table  "  with  cur  consciences  quieted, 
our  corruptions  subdued,  our  graces  increased,  and 
our  souls  encouraged,  with  an  enlarged  heart  to  run 
the  way  of  thy  commandments." 

Increase  the  number  of  faithful  communicants 
throughout  thy  churches  in  all  the  world;  and  en- 
large  the  borders  of  thy  kingdom,  till  all  the  ends  of 
the  earth  remember  the  Saviour's  sufferings,  and  turn 
to  the  Lord,  and  worship  before  thee.  This  I  ask,  for 
his  name's  sake.     Amen. 

N . — O 


G- 


CHAPTER  IIL 

MEDITATIONS     PREPARATORY    TO    THE    LORD's     SUPPER. 

Having  before  noticed  the  importance  of  meditation, 
in  preparing  for  the  Lord's  Supper,*  we  now  proceed 
to  give  some  practical  help  towards  it.  Most  de- 
sirable it  is  that  each  person  should  endeavour  to 
gain  for  himself  a  holy  skill  in  this  profitable  duty, 
that  of  retiring  from  the  world,  and  seriously  contem- 
plating spiritual  subjects  for  his  own  edification.  It 
is  a  great  help  to  every  other  duty,  and  elevates  the 
mind  above  the  passing  vanities  of  the  world.  If  we 
are  in  the  habit  of  practising  this  duty  in  secret,  it 
will  be  more  easy  to  be  fulfilled  at  the  sacred  table. 
He  that  would  obtain  comfort  from  remembering  his 
Saviour's  death  at  church,  must  first  meditate  upon  it 
in  his  closet. 

A  passage  of  Scripture,  or  some  practical  truth, 
will  generally  furnish  you  with  abundant  matter  for 
your  meditation.  If  you  were  often  thus  to  employ 
your  thoughts  on'  sacred  subjects,  in  the  spirit  of 
prayer,  you  would  doubtless  find  much  benefit  f  from 

*  See  chapv  i.  part  ii. 

t  For  further  directions,  see  Bishop  Hall's  Art  of  Divine 
Meditation,  Watson's  Christian  on  the  Mount,  and  the  latter 
part  of  Baxter's  Saint's  Rest.  The  Communicant  will  find  such 
books  as  the  following,  well  suited  to  assist  him  in  this  duty : — 
Beart's  Divine  Breathings.  Orton's  Sacramental  Exercises. 
Hall's  Contemplationa.  Owen's  Practical  Treatises. 


o- 


-0 


196 


MEDITATIONS    PREPARATORY 


such  a  practice.     The  Lord's  day  particularly  is  a 
suitable  season  for  this  employment. 

There  are  those  who  are  able  to  fix  their  mind  on  a 
devout  subject,  and  dwell  upon  it  without  any  other 
help  than  a  spiritual  mind,  knowledge  of  the  Scrip- 
tures,  a  blessed  habit  of  meditation,  and  the  gracious 
influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit ;  and  for  them  the  fol- 
lowing meditations  may  be  needless  ;  but  there  are 
many  who  are  wholly  unaccustomed  to  this  duty,  and 
who  are  glad  to  receive  assistance  from  the  reflections 
of  others,  and  find  that  assistance,  through  the  aid  of 
the  Spirit,  a  means  of  raising  their  hearts  to  God. 
Por  their  use  the  following  meditations  are  added,  as 
suitable,  preparatory  to  the  Lord's  Supper.  They 
suppose  the  person  who  uses  them  to  be  sensible  of  his 
sinfulness,  and  seeking  salvation  through  Jesus  Christ, 
and  are  chiefly  acts  of  repentance  and  faith.  It  is  by 
no  means  designed  that  they  should  be  all  read  over 
on  one  occasion  of  receiving,  and  much  less  con- 
stantly before  every  communion. 

PREPARATION. 

Prov.  xvi.  1.   The  preparation  of  the  heart  in  man^ — is 
from  the  Lord. 

O  thou,  the  Father  of  Lights,  and  the  Giver  of  all 
wisdom,  I  would  ever  see  and  acknowledge,  while  I 
search  into  my  heart,  and  endeavour  to  use  every 
means  of  preparing  for  thy  holy  feast,  that  thou  must 
give  the  blessing,  or  all  is  vain.    Thou  must  open  my 


Harrison's  Topica  Sacra. 
Horneck's  Crucified  Jesus. 
Mason's  Communicant's 
Companion. 


Rambach  on  Christ's  Sufferings. 
Shower's  Sacramental  Exercises. 
Sound  Doctrine. 
Willison's  Treatises. 


o- 


o 


o — o 

TO  THE  lord's  SUPPER.  197 

darkened  understanding,  or  I  see  not  my  sins.  Thou 
must  affect  my  heart,  or  I  feel  them  not.  Thou  must 
give  me  faith,  or  I  go  not  to  Christ  for  relief,  and  be- 
lieve not  on  him  as  my  only  hope.  Thou  must  sanc- 
tify me  by  thy  Spirit,  or  I  remain  impure  and  unholy. 

0  my  God,  thou  only  art  able  to  supply  my  wants,  or 
satisfy  my  immortal  spirit.  I  come  then  to  thee.  I 
would  lie  at  the  foot  of  the  cross  for  mercy  and  salva- 
tion. Let  him  that  now  asks,  have  ;  and  that  now 
seeks,  find ;  unto  him  that  now  knocketh,  let  the  door 
be  opened.  Hear,  help,  and  save  me,  O  Lord,  my 
Strength,  and  my  Redeemer. 

Haggai  i.  5.   Consider  your  ways. 

What  is  my  way  of  reading  the  bible  ?  Do  T  read 
it  daily,  morning  and  evening  ?  do  I  pray  over  it  ?  do 

1  reflect  upon  it  ?  do  1  adopt  it  as  my  guide  ?  Do  I 
ever  slight  God's  book  for  man's  books ;  and  do  I  rest 
in  man's  word  rather  than  God's  word  ?  My  soul 
feels  here  its  carnal  tendencies,  and  its  many  omis- 
sions and  transgressions. 

What  is  my  way  of  prayer  ?  Is  it  constant — at 
least  morning  and  evening,  if  not  noon-day  also?  Are 
evening  devotions  slightly  and  carelessly  performed, 
and  morning  hurried  over  ?  Is  the  habit  of  prayer 
through  the  day  gained  ?  Is  it  a  joy  to  pray  ?  Do  I 
thirst  for  the  seasons  of  prayer  ?  O  my  leanness  !  I 
can  look  only  to  that  High  Priest  who  bears  the  iniquity 
of  our  holy  things.  How  little  is  there  of  communion 
with  God.  Frequently  he  is  like  an  unknown  guest. 
He  who  ought  to  be  the  Presiding  Governor  is  neg- 
lected, and  real  intercourse  with  him  is  often  almost 
cut  off  by  my  corruptions. 

What  are  my  ways  in  the  house  of  god  ?     The 

o 6 

17* 


O : O 

198  MEDITATIONS   PREPARATORY 

question  makes  me  sigh.  O  the  underplot  of  worldly 
concerns  that  is  busily  transacting  within,  while  the 
divine  worship  seems,  before  man,  to  be  celebrating. 
Where  are  all  the  deep  sympathies  of  prayer  amid  the 
crowd  of  vain  thoughts  that  oppress  and  choke  each 
holy  emotion  ?  Blessed  Jesus !  my  prayers  are  my 
sins  :  thy  righteousness  my  only  hope  ! 

What  ARE  MY  WAYS  IN  LIFE  ?  Some  are  indeed  re- 
ligious and  profitable ;  but  even  in  them,  and  in  all 
my  ways,  self-indulgence  in  its  thousand  varied  forms, 
vanity  with  all  its  endeavours  to  set  off  self,  and 
earthly- mindedness  with  all  its  plans  of  worldly  ad- 
vancement, taint  my  course  and  defile  my  life.  I  have 
gone  astray  like  a  lost  sheep  ;  seek  thy  servant,  for  I  do 
not  forget  thy  commandments. 

O  that  walking  with  God,  communion  with  Father, 
Son,  and  Holy  Ghost,  and  delighting  in  him,  may 
henceforth  be  my  way  all  my  days ! 

ACTS    OF    REPENTANCE. 

Psalm  xl.  12.  My  iniquHies  have  taken  hold  upon  me — 
they  are  more  than  the  hairs  of  my  head. 

When  tried  by  the  only  true  standard,  I  am  found 
wanting  in  every  precept.  If  a  duty  be  required,  it  is 
omitted,  or  imperfectly  discharged;  if  a  sin  is  de- 
scribed, the  root  of  it  at  least  is  in  me.  But  this  is  not 
all.  I  am  guilty,  without  an  adequate  feeling  of  guilt. 
I  am  helpless,  and  yet  not  sufficiently  conscious  of 
my  weakness. 

When  I  look  even  at  a  single  day,  O  what  sins 
thickly  crowd  in  every  part.  In  the  morning,  what 
cold  and  distracted  prayers !  at  meals,  what  love  of 

6 ■( 


o_ ■ < 

TO  THE  LORB's  SUPPER.  199 

self-indulgence  !  in  conversation,  what  idle  and  vain 
words !  in  business,  what  self-seeking  and  what  dis- 
retrard  of  the  glory  of  God  !  Sometimes,  what  ardour 
in  earthly  things ;  or  at  others,  what  sloth  and  negli- 
gence !  In  company,  what  worldly  conformity,  what 
lost  opportunities  of  usefulness,  what  neglect  of  souls! 
in  evening  devotions,  what  sluggishness  and  drowsi- 
ness!  in  all  what  forgetfulness  of  Godt 

O  once  crucified  Lord  !  I  would  look  on  thee,  and 
mourn.  Here,  in  these  sins,  I  see  the  nails  that 
pierced  thy  sacred  hands  and  feet  ?  here  is  the  spear 
that  penetrated  thy  side ;  here  the  crown  of  thorns 
that  tore  thy  sacred  head  ?  While  looking  at  thy 
crucifixion,  may  I  be  taught  to  hate  and  forsake  every 
sin. 

Psalm  XXV.  11.     -For  thy  name's  sake,  O  Lord,  pardon 
mine  iniquity,  for  it  is  great. 

Not  only  are  my  sins  more  than  I  can  number,  but 
their  aggravations  are  very  great.  They  have  been 
committed  after  I  have  professed  myself  a  follower  of 
the  only  Saviour,  and  though  I  knew  that  the  world 
would  take  advantage  of  my  failings  to  blame  my  re- 
ligion, and  thus  put  him  whom  I  serve  to  open  shame. 
They  have  been  committed  wilfully,  repeatedly,  de- 
liberately, and  after  solemn  vows  and  prayers. 

Gracious  Father!  what  shall  I  say  before  thee  !  I 
would  not  extenuate  nor  cover  my  guilt,  but  freely 
acknowledge  how  deeply  I  have  sinned.  Neither  dare 
I  doubt  of  the  extent  of.  thy  mercy ;  but  O  what,  save 
the  blood  of  thine  only  Son,  could  cleanse  away  such 
sins  as  mine,  and  that  very  blood  shows  me  more  the 
greatness  of  my  guilt.  If  thou  hadst  been  hard  and 
severe,  without  mercy  and  without  love,  my  sins  had 


G- 


■O 


G- 


-o 


200 


MEDITATIONS    PREPARATOKY 


not  then  been  so  aggravated ;  but  thou  hast  encom- 
passed me  with  mercies,  and  I  have  forgotten,  forsaken, 
and  rebelled  against  him,  whose  very  name  is  Love ! 
But  I  cast  myself,  holy  Saviour,  sinful  as  I  am,  on 
thy  atonement.  My  only  hope  is  in  thy  name.  O  that 
that  promise  may  belong  to  me,  Though  your  sins  be 
as  scarlet,  they  shall  he  as  white  as  snow :  though  they 
he  red  like  crimson,  they  shall  he  as^  wool.  Then  shall 
I  praise  thee  with  joyful  lips. 

Psalm  li.  4.     Against  thee,  thee  only,  have  I  sinned. 

However  I  may  have  offended  against  my  fellow, 
creatures,  my  peculiar  and  aggravated  offence,  in  all 
that  I  have  in  any  way  done  wrong  is,  that  I  have 
violated  thy  law,  and  been  guilty  of  rebellion  and  in- 
gratitude towards  thee.  My  soul,  think  then  on  thy 
sins  against  thy  God.  Muse  on  them,  in  silent  sor- 
row, till  the  stony  heart  within  be  broken  and  softened. 
Consider,  the  holy  and  perfect  Jehovah  has  seen  all 
thy  seret  thoughts,  and  words,  and  ways ;  the  pure 
and  spotless  Redeemer  has  been  dishonoured  by  thy 
inconsistencies ;  the  blessed  Spirit  has  been  grieved 
and  resisted  by  thy  wilful  indulgence  of  sin. 

But,  O  God,  according  unto  the  multitude  of  thy 
tender  mercies,  blot  out  my  transgressions.  On  thee 
I  cast  myself  for  pardon  ;  to  the  mighty  Redeemer  I 
look  for  deliverance  ;  and  to  the  grace  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  for  the  renewal  of  a  right  mind. 

Though  I  have  grieved  thy  Spirit,  Lord> 
His  help  and  comfort  still  afford ; 
And  let  a  wretch  come  near  thy  throne 
To  plead  the  merit  of  thy  Son. 

Well  may  I  style  myself  a  miserable  sinner f  No 
other  plea,  nor  hope,  can  I  have,  but  in  the  merit  of 


\ 


G- 


-O 


0 v-         ,-.      • -^.-. -^.^...^ 0 

TO    THE    lord's    SUPPER.  201 

my  Redeemer.  Truly  the  heart  knoweth  its  own  bit- 
terness— its  own  sinfulness.  O  may  I,  with  all  my 
soul  and  strength,  return  to  God,  seek  his  grace  in  his 
own  ordinance,  and,  looking  unto  Jesus,  be  saved. 

Deut.  viii.  2.  TJiou  shall  remember  all  the  way  which 
the  Lord  thy  God  led  thee,  these  forty  years,  in  the 
wilderness,  to  humble  thee  and  to  prove  thee. 

I  cannot  but  be  humbled,  I  cannot  but  siij^h  from  the 
bottom  of  my  heart,  when  I  look  back  on  my  past  con- 
duct and  truly  estimate  it.  Sin,  that  destructive  enemy, 
has  ever  lodged  in  my  heart.  That  base  and  ruinous 
evil  has  ever  had  an  oppressive  influence  over  my  ac- 
tions. The  lust  of  the  flesh,  the  lust  of  the  eye,  and 
the  pride  of  life,  ah !  whither  have  they  led  me  ?  they 
have  brought  me  to  rebel  against  my  Creator  and  my 
Redeemer,  and  have  debased  me  to  the  service  and 
slavery  of  Satan  !  I  have  long  groaned  under  this 
burden  of  sin,  and  shall  I  remain  in  this  state  ?  Alas  ! 
the  root  of  this  evil  lies  too  deep,  and  is  too  widely 
spread,  entirely  to  be  eradicated  while  I  remain  in  the 
body.  But,  hereafter,  O  blessed  period  !  I  hope  for 
perfect  freedom.  In  the  mean  time,  much  may  be 
done.  Let  me  not  faint ;  but,  in  the  strength  of  the 
Lord,  renevv  my  exertions,  going  to  the  precious  foun- 
tain where  polluted  souls  are  washed  and  made  clean, 
and  blessing  God  for  the  opportunity  now  afforded  of 
receiving  strengthening  grace  at  his  table. 

Heb.  xii.  1,      The  sin  which  doeth  so  easily  beset  us. 

It  sometimes  appears  as  if  not  one  sin,  but  many 
sins  beset  me.     There  is  not  only  one  evil  spirit  to  be 
expelled  ;  their  name  is  Legion, for  they  are  many? 
Self-indulgence  in  ease,  in  appetite,  in  neglect  of 
0 o 


202  MEDITATIONS    PREPARATORY 

duties,  continually  assails  me,  and  often  I  yield  to  the 
temptation.  Thus  have  heavenly-mindedness,  and  the 
higher  graces  of  the  Christian,  been  weakened,  or 
hindered. 

Vain  glory  also  besets  me.  I  seek  the  approbation 
of  man,  without  refererlde  to  God.  I  do  good  to  be 
seen  of  men.  Ah  !  how  pleased  am  I  to  be  thought 
good,  or  great,  by  my  fellow  creatures,  not  considering 
how  little  they  can  know  the  real  truth,  and  how  little 
their  judgment  avails  before  God.  However  in  my 
purposes  and  desires  I  renounce  this ;  in  my  life  I  am 
continually  influenced  by  it.  Through  this  I  do  not 
speak  of  religion,  and  through  this  I  do  speak  of  re- 
ligion. It  is  astonishing  to  see  how  apt  this  is  to  min- 
gle with  all  I  do,  or  leave  undone.  It  is  a  disease 
which  infects  the  thoughts,  words,  and  actions,  of 
every  day. 

Lord,  I  want  a  meek,  humble,  and  lowly  heart. 
One  caring  not  for  the  applause  of  man,  but  desiring, 
above   all  things  a  good  conscience,  and  thy  favour. 

0  that  I  may  ever  walk  humbly  with  thee,  my  God, 
and  receive  my  Saviour  into  a  meek,  submissive,  and 
contrite  heart. 

Covetousness  is  another  evil  that  works  in  my  heart, 
in  various  ways.  I  seek  worldly  instead  of  spiritual 
riches,  as  if  earthly  things  could  make  me  happy 
without  the  presence,  and  love,  and  blessing  of  God. 
Deliver  me  from  this  idolatry ! 

Self-righteousness  also  mingles  with  all  my  doings. 

1  fear  I  often  fix  my  hope  more  on  duties  than  on 
Christ.  I  see  if  the  Lord  were  to  give  me  more  holi- 
ness and  love,  I  should  be  in  danger  still  of  building 
my  hopes  on  grace  received,  and  not  thinking  of  the 
God  of  all  grace.     However  evangelical  in  my  senti-  I 

O — o 


o — o 

TO  THE  lord's  SUPPER.  203 

ments,  is  it  not  manifest  to  me  that  I  am  in  danger  of, 
in  some  measure,  still  seeking  to  be  justified  by  the 
law;  that  I  dare  not  trust  all  with  Christ — 'all  on 
Christ?     O  the  evil  heart  of  unbelief? 

Lord,  I  humble  myself  before  thee,  in  the  convic- 
tion of  these  my  manifold  sins,  imploring  pardon  and 
healing,  through  the  blood  of  Christ. 

Job  xxix.  2.  O  that  I  were  as  in  months  past,  as  in  the 
days  when  God  preserved  me  ! 

I  feel  often  disposed,  in  times  of  despondency,  on 
looking  back  on  the  first  impressions  of  religion  on  my 
heart,  to  say,  O  that  I  could  regain  that  sweet  peace 
of  mind  which  I  once  possessed,  when  I  could  lie 
down  with  a  joyful  hope  that  if  it  pleased  God  to  call 
me  out  of  this  world,  I  might  awaken  in  his  glorious 
presence,  among  friendly  angels,  and  the  kind  and 
loving  spirits  of  just  men  made  perfect.  When  God 
was  always  graciously  present  to  my  mind  on  awak- 
ing, and  I  thought  I  saw  a  father's  tender  love  in 
every  thing  about  me,  and  in  every  thing  that  arose  ; 
then  all  fears  were  removed.  Death  was  not  terrible  ; 
but  rather  viewed  as  a  messenger  of  peace,  gladly  to 
be  welcomed.  The  cares  and  troubles  of  this  world 
were  little  thought  of,  and  the  chief  care  was  to 
approve  myself  to  God. 

But  careless  walking  with  God,  worldly  engage- 
ments, and  neglected  means  of  grace,  soon  damp  the 
holy  flame  of  first  life  and  zeal. 

O  may  I  hear  my  Saviour's  admonition,  and  obey 
his  direction,  Nevertheless  I  have  somewhat  against 
thee,  because  thou  hast  left  thy  first  love:  remember 
from  ichence  thou  art  fallen,  and  repent,  and  do  thy 
first  works.  Quicken  me  again,  blessed  Saviour. 
O — O 


O 0 

204  MEDITATIONS    PREPARATORY 

Let  thy  death  be  so  brought  to  my  remembrance  at 
thy  table,  that  my  soul  may  now  again  be  strengtheH- 
ed,  refreshed,  and  revived ;  yea,  restored  to  more  than 
first  zeal  and  love. 

1  Cor.  xi.  31.  If  we  wouM  judge  ourselves,  we  should 
not  be  judged. 

I  do  indeed  desire  to  come  to  thee,  O  my  God,  self- 
condemned  and  self-abased,  acknowledging  niy  many 
sins  committed  day  by  day  against  thee  ;  and  that  1 
deserve  thy  wrath  and  displeasure.  I  do  desire  now 
to  humble  my  soul  before  thee,  not  in  words  only,  but 
in  a  deep  conviction  of  heart,  that  I  am  verily  guilty 
in  thy  sight. 

According,  then,  to  this  thy  faithful  promise,  O  my 
God,  judge  me  not.  Deal  not  with  me  according  to 
my  sins ;  but  let  me  be  justified  freely  by  thy  grace, 
through  the  redemption  of  Christ.  Give  me  grace,  I 
pray  thee,  in  a  right  spirit,  now  to  commemorate  that 
redemption  through  his  blood  on  which  all  my  hopes 
are  founded. 

Rom.  vil.  18,  /  knou)  that  in  me^  thai  is,  in  my  jlesh, 
dwelleth  no  good  thing. 

I  am  in  myself  full  of  all  sin  ;  and  the  review  of 
my  heart,  and  of  my  life,  of  my  character,  and  of  my 
conduct,  in  all  the  varied  relations  of  life,  is  indeed 
very  humbling  and  abasing.  I  cannot  but  feel,  on  a 
close  inspection,  that  the  very  best  things  which  I 
have  ever  done,  throuo-h  the  intermino-linffs  of  sin  in 
every  part,  would  for  ever  condemn  me. 

If  I  look  within,  there  is  a  traitor  there — -a  vile, 
carnal,  worldly,  impure  heart,  that  soils  every  grace, 
and  taints  every  offering  r  inward  sin  obscures  the 
0 0 


0 — ( 

TO    THE    LORD  S   SDPPER.  205 

divine  light,  withers  my  comforts,  and  depresses  and 
deadens  all  my  spiritual  energies. 

If  I  look  without, — on  the  discharge  of  relative 
duties,  all  those  to  whom  I  stand  related  seem  to 
suffer  loss  by  my  indolence  and  negligence.  My 
omissions  of  duty,  how  many !  my  unfaithfulness, 
how  great !  O  how  little  anxiety  to  glorify  God,  by  a 
steady  and  consistent  fulfilment  of  self-denying,  daily 
obligations  ! 

And  who  can  tell  the  evil  of  one  sin,  all  its  abomi- 
nations and  exceeding  sinfulness,  before  the  Holy  God. 

Nothing  can  meet  my  wants,  but  Christ  and  his 
free  and  great  salvation.  Blessed  be  God,  there  is  a 
Saviour.  To  him  I  clincr :  on  him  I  rest :  in  him  I 
joy.  Tn  him,  God  is  my  reconciled  Father ;  and 
drawn  by  his  Spirit  to  hate  sin,  and  love  holiness,  I 
feel  the  spirit  of  adoption,  and  I  cry,  "  Abba  Father." 
Behold  what  manner  of  love  the  Father  hath  bestowed 
upon  us ! 

O  Lord,  let  thy  love  at  length  produce  fervent  and 
inflamed  love  to  thee  :  love  which  leads  to  self-denial, 
to  patient  working,  to  a  willingness  to  endure  re- 
proach and  suffering  for  Christ^s  sake  :  love  which 
will  make  me  ashamed,  and  grieved,  and  humbled, 
under  the  conviction  of  all  my  coldness  and  ingrati- 
tude to  Him  who  died  for  me. 

Lord  help  me  to  discharge  my  varied  duties.  Par- 
doning all  my  past  omissions,  give  me  a  sweet  sense 
of  thy  forgiving  love  ;  and  O  quicken,  excite,  and 
strengthen  my  soul  at  length  patiently  to  take  up  the 
cross,  and  steadily  and  perseveringly  to  labour  for 
thee.  Let  me  be  thy  workmanship,  created  in  Christ 
Jesus  unto  good  works. 

6 h 

18 


O _ — o 

206  MEDITATIONS   PREPARATORY 

2  Tim.  ii.  12.    If  we  suffer,  we  shall  also  reign  with 

him. 

O  Jesus,  how  much  didst  thou  choose  to  suffer,  and 
readily  suffer  for  me.  What  losses,  what  scorn,  what 
poverty,  what  pain,  what  drops  of  blood,  what  agony, 
what  a  death  !  May  I  kno7v  thee  and  the  power  of  thy 
resurrection,  and  the  fellowship  of  thy  sufferings. 

O  my  soul,  the  grand  proof  that  thou  art  doing 
the  will  of  God,  is  not  indefatigable  industry,  active 
zeal,  doing  many  things  that  the  world  or  the  church 
commends :  It  is  rather  here :  Dost  thou  take  up 
self-denying  duties,  and  go  through  them  steadily  in 
their  season,  as  well  as  those  that  are  more  pleasant 
and  easy  to  thee  ?  Dost  thou  take  up  spending, 
losing,  and  wasting  duties,  in  which  money,  health, 
toil,  and  strength  are  required,  as  well  as  gainful 
and  profitable  duties  ;  going  through  the  rugged  and 
thorny  ground,  as  well  as  along  the  plain  path,  when 
thy  way  to  Zion  demands  the  effort  ?  Dost  thou  take 
up  reproached  and  despised  duties,  confessing  Christ 
before  the  ungodly,  doing  the  work  that  brings  oblo- 
quy,  as  well  as  the  work  that  brings  commendation  ? 

Now  here  I  have  to  return  many  a  painful  nega- 
tive. O  for  grace  from  thy  fulness,  Lord  Jesus, 
wisely  and  patiently,  honestly  and  uprightly,  to  take 
up  all  the  suffering  duties  that  thou  my  Redeemer 
bringest  before  me,  and  callest  me  to.  Let  me  not 
flinch  and  turn  aside.  Thou  art  a  wise,  a  mighty,  and 
a  kind  Master ;  may  I  be  a  faithful  servant,  and  set 
my  whole  heart  on  this  great  point,  hearing  at  the 
last  from  thee,  Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servarit, 
enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord. 

Blessed  Jesus,  thou  art  my  hope,  my  righteousness, 

O __o 


0 -^ — "^""-^ — ■"'*"' — ""^^^^ — ^"'^ " 'G 

TO  THE  lord's  SUPPER.  207 

and  my  strength.  O  let  me  contemplate  thee,  till  thy 
Spirit  make  me  like  thyself:  let  me  day  by  day  hear 
thy  voice,  and  folloio  the  Lamb  wheresoever  he  goeth. 

And  that  I  may  thus  suffer  with  thee,  O  help  me 
to  realize,  by  lively  faith,  the  glory  to  come  ;  the  new 
heavens  and  the  new  earth,  icherein  dioelleih  righteous- 
ness ;  reigning  with  Christ,  wearing  the  crowm  of  life, 
sitting  with  him  on  liis  throne.  May  this  joy  be  so 
set  before  me,  that  I  may  willingly,  like  Jesus,  endure 
the  present  cross.     Amen.  Amen. 

Solomon's  Song,  v.   1.     Eat,   O  friends;    drink,  yea 
drink  abundantly,  O  beloved. 

May  my  God  give  me  spiritual  hunger  and  thirst 
for  this  spiritual  feast ;  that  feeling  my  great  necessi* 
ties,  I  may  earnestly  long  for  Christ  and  his  salvation. 
And  O  that  the  holy  table  to  which  I  am  going  may 
be  richly  furnished  by  the  master  of  the  feast  !  May 
he  grace  it  with  his  own  presence,  and  abundantly 
bless  the  provision  !  By  this  feast  may  the  needy  soul 
be  satisfied,  the  hard  heart  softened,  the  cool  affections 
warmed,  the  straitened  heart  enlarged,  the  dim  eye 
enlightened,  the  wandering  mind  fixed,  and  the  doubt- 
ing soul  resolved.  O  that  it  may  prove  death  to  my 
sins,  life  to  my  soul,  poison  to  my  lusts,  and  strength 
to  my  graces.  Grant  that  in  receiving  the  bread  and 
wine,  I  may  be  enabled  to  receive  Christ  Jesus  into  my 
heart ;  and  may  thereby  get  an  earnest  of,  and  a 
valid  and  an  unquestionable  title  to  the  everlasting  in- 
heritance, sealed  and  confirmed  to  me.  Lord  mani- 
fest thyself  to  me.  Bring  me  into  the  banquetling 
house,  and  let  thy  banner  over  me  be  love.  Grace  thine 
own  ordinance,  and  beautify  the  assembly  of  thy  peo- 
ple with  thy  presence.  Put  the  wedding  garment  on 
O o 


0 . . . 0 

208  MEDITATIONS    PREPARATORY 

the  guests :  let  thy  Spirit  rest  upon  them,  let  thy 
power  be  present  to  heal  them,  and  thy  glory  fill  the 
temple.* 

ACTS    OF    FAITH. 

Psalm  xxxi.  19.     O  how  great  is  thy  goodness. 

The  love  of  God  has  indeed  abounded  towards  me 
in  innumerable  ways,  both  in  temporal  comforts  and 
spiritual  privileges.  But  especially  am  I  indebted  to 
his  long-suffering  and  long-sparing  mercy,  that  I  have 
not  been  cut  off  in  the  midst  of  my  sins :  the  fountain 
opened  for  sin  and  uncleanness  is  yet  flowing,  yet  ac- 
cessible, and  that  for  me  ;  the  bread  of  life  is  yet  ten- 
dered  to  me ;  the  means  of  grace  and  the  hope  of 
glory  are  yet  continued.  There  is  still  a  way  of  ac- 
cess to  the  throne  of  grace,  and  the  sure  mercies  of 
Christ  may  yet  be  obtained.  Through  the  same  good- 
I  ness,  I  have  another  opportunity  of  approaching  his 
mercy-seat,  and  seeking  an  interest  in  his  redemption. 
Others  have  been  called  to  the  eternal  world  to  render 
in  their  solenni  account,  and  I  have  been  spared  a  little 
longer  to  recover  my  strength.  I  will  go,  then,  and 
cast  myself  under  the  wings  of  the  Sun  of  JR,ighteous- 
ness.  I  will  take  refuge  in  his  name,  and  now  seek 
his  salvation. 

Psalm  xlii.  11.      Why  art  thou  cast  down,  0  my  soul? 

My  sins  are  indeed  many,  and  grevious ;  but  shall 
I  spend  all  my  time  in  dwelling  only  on  them,  and 
shall  I  thus  forget  my  Redeemer  ?  Know  I  not  that 
Jesus  is  able  and  willing  to  deliver  me  from  this  state  ? 
They  that  be  whole  need  not  a  physician,  but  they 
*  Altered  from  Willison's  Meditations. 

) o 


o 


o 


TO    THE    LORD  S    SUPPER. 


209 


that  are  sick  ;  but  I,  being  sick,  even  from  the  crown 
of  the  head  to  the  sole  of  the  foot,  so  much  so  as  not  to 
be  sensible  of  the  greatness  of  the  disease,  and  some- 
times to  have  lost  the  desire  of  being  healed  ;  I  have 
infinite  need  of  the  Divine  Physician. 

0  heavenly  Saviour,  thou  art  able  and  willing  to 
save  all  those  who  come  unto  thee,  have  compassion 
upon  me.  I  have  as  much  need  of  thy  grace  for  my 
salvation  as  the  vilest  publican  and  sinner :  without 

[  that  grace  I  perish  for  ever.  Thou  didst  not  reject 
j  them  ;  O  reject  not  me.  My  disease  is  as  bad  as  the 
worst  leprosy.  If  thou  wilt,  thou  canst  make  me  clean. 
Blinded  eyes,  deaf  ears,  crippled  limbs,  helpless  sick- 
ness, and  a  dead  corpse,  are  true  pictures  of  my 
spiritual  state.  I  come  as  they  of  old  came — Jesus, 
thou  son  of  David,  have  mercy  an  me  !  Jesus,  Lamb  of 
God,  that  taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world,  have  mercy  on 
me  f  Speak  the  word  only,  and  thy  servant  shall  be 
healed  ! 

Psalm  Ixi.  2.     When  my  heart  is  overwhelmed,  lead  me 
to  the  rock  that  is  higher  than  I. 

1  should  have  perished  in  my  sins,  but  for  redeem- 
ing mercy  and  love.  Blessed  be  God  for  Jesus  the 
rock  of  my  salvation.  This  rock  it  is  that  defends  me 
from  the  justly-merited  and  stormy  billows  of  divine 
wrath.  The  fury  of  the  tempest,  that  dreadful  ven- 
geance which  would  for  ever  have  overwhelmed  me, 
did  he  encounter,  that  I  might  be  safe.  Now,  sheltered 
by  this  rock,  though  I  may  hear  the  roaring  and  dash- 
ing of  that  terrible  sea,  which,  if  unprotected,  would 
have  swept  me  away  into  endless  ruin,  yet  am  I  en- 
tirely safe  ;  not  a  wave  shall  come  near  me.  Oh  !  in 
every  trying  hour,  lead  me  to  this  rock,  that  .lesus  may 

G ^ 6 

18* 


O 0 

I 

210  MEDITATIONS    PREPARATORY 

ever  be  my  hiding  place,  and  my  covert.  Here  only  I 
am  secure.  He  is  unchangeable  and  immoveable  ; 
the  same  yesterday,  to-day,  and  for  ever. 

2  Cor.  V.  21.     He  hath  made  him  to  he  sin  for  us. 

The  cross  of  Christ  shows  me  the  evil  of  sin  in  the 
strongest  light.  The  punishment  of  fallen  angels,  the 
deluge,  the  destruction  of  Sodom  and  Gomorrah,  dis- 
ease and  death,  and  the  eternal  punishment  of  hell, 
tell  me  the  evil  of  sin  very  strongly,  but  the  cross  of 
Christ  yet  more.  "  To  see  the  son  of  god  praying, 
crying,  trembling,  bleeding,  dying ;  God  hiding  his 
■face  from  him ;  the  earth  trembling  under  him ;  the 
sun  veiled,  the  rocks  rent,  and  darkness  all  around 
him ;  how  can  we  but,  (when  we  know  that  this  was 
in  consequence  of  man's  transgression,)  cry  out, — Did 
sin  do  all  this?  Did  sin  nail  him,  whose  titles  are 
"The  Mighty  God,"  "The  Everlasting  Father," 
"  The  Prince  of  Peace,"  to  the  accursed  tree  ?  O, 
who  can  estimate  the  demerit  of  sin,  its  high  provoca- 
tions, its  exceeding  sinfulness !  Here,  then,  let  me 
take  a  view  of  sin.  If  others  view  its  temporary  plea- 
sures and  momentary  advantages,  let  me  estimate  its 
incalculable  mass  of  evil,  as  viewed  in  the  cross  of 
Christ,  as  manifested  in  his  being  made  sin  for  us. 

evidences  of  faith. 

2  Cor.  xiii.  5.     Examine  yourselves  whether  ye  he  in 

the  faith. 

On  the  review  of  my  state  before  God,  what  says 

my  conscience  ?  will  God  acquit  or  condemn  me  ?    If 

I  am  to  be  judged  only  by  his  holy  law,  I  am  utterly 

condemned.    I  have  transgressed  every  precept.    I  am 

G -^ O 


o — o 

TO  THE  lord's  SUPPER.  211 

condemned  every  hour,  and  am  most  justly  sentenced 
to  everlasting  destruction.  But  I  trust  I  am  not  under 
the  law,  hut  under  grace  ;  and  that  Christ  hath  borne 
the  punishment  of  my  sins.  I  know  that  he  came  into 
the  world  to  save  sinners,  and  I  feel  that  I  am  a  sin- 
ner. I  trust  also  that  his  Spirit  has  taught  me  to 
mourn  for  sin,  and  to  fly  to  Christ  for  refuge.  Have 
I  not  often,  in  my  secret  retirements,  cast  myself  en- 
tirely on  God's  mercy  in  Christ  Jesus?  Have  I  not 
laid  claim  to,  and  pleaded  his  precious  promises  ? 
Surely,  I  have  earnestly  asked  for  spiritual  blessings, 
and  He  that  cannot  lie  has  promised  that  I  shall  re- 
ceive. I  think  I  see  some  marks  of  a  change  of  heart, 
and  some  appearances  of  the  fruit  of  the  Spirit.  It  is 
my  desire  that  my  thoughts  may  be  spiritual  and  holy. 
I  seek  God  in  secret,  and  I  do  not  allow  of  any  known 
sin.  These  evidences  (in  much  imperfection  as  they 
are  in  me)  strengthen  my  hope  ;  but  yet  I  would  rest 
every  expectation,  both  for  pardon  and  acceptance,  for 
justification  and  sanctification,  only  on  Christ,  my  Lord. 

Psalm  xvi.  5.      The  Lord  is  the  portion  of  my  inheHt- 
ance  and  of  my  cup  ;  thou  maintainest  my  lot. 

Where  a  man's  treasure  is,  there  is  his  heart.  Is 
then  the  Lord  ever  in  my  heart  ?  He  who  died  for  me 
ought  to  be  constantly  in  all  my  thoughts.  What  do 
I  count  then  the  chief  joy  of  heaven  ?  Is  it  not  that 
there  I  shall  be  free  from  fears  and  doubts  about  my 
state,  and  for  ever  behold  and  praise  my  God  ?  What 
do  I  count  the  chief  joy  on  earth  ?  is  it  not  the  presence 
of  the  Lord  in  prayer?  When  in  my  devotions,  or  in 
reading  the  scriptures,  or  singing  psalms,  I  am  enabled 
to  call  God  Father  ;  surely,  nothing  is  more  refreshing 
to  my  heart  than  the  manifestation  of  the  Divine  Pre- 
G O 


o o 

212  MEDITATIONS    PREPiillATORY 

sence.  Is  not  that  conversation  the  pleasantest  in 
which,  with  a  devoted  fellow  Christian,  I  can  converse 
of  the  value  of  Jesus  and  of  his  free  love,  and  in  which 
we  can  mutually  stir  up  each  other  to  live  more  to  his 
glory  ?  Can  any  thing  yield  me  hearty  pleasure  when 
the  Lord  is  absent  ?  or  are  any  ways  pleasant  and 
satisfactory  which  I  think  that  he  would  not  approve  ? 

Am  I  not  building  wholly  on  the  Lord  for  salvation? 
Indeed,  this  is  my  aim  :  for  I  see  myself  lost  and  un- 
done, ruined  and  helpless.  I  see  Christ  to  be  as  the 
pearl  of  great  price,  and  would  gladly  part  with  all 
for  him;  but  still  there  are  many  workings  of  self- 
righteousness,  and  much  looking  at  duties  as  a  ground 
of  hope,  and  refusing  to  rejoice  in  Christ,  till  I  see  my- 
self altogether  holy  and  pure. 

But  is  the  Lord  my  portion  ?  How  can  this  be, 
when  my  heart  is  so  full  of  the  world  ? — when  my 
prayers  are  often  with  so  little  heart  and  life ;  so 
wandering,  and  so  distracted  ?  Yes !  the  Lord  is  my 
portion — these  things  are  my  grief  and  burden,  and  I 
look  to  him  for  strength  ajjainst  them. 

But  after  all,  how  little  I  prize  the  Lord  !  what  a 
want  of  close  walking  with  him  !  This  again  brings 
me  to  the  foot  of  the  cross.  I  can  only  glory  in  Christ 
crucified  ;   and  there  I  can  and  do  glory. 

O  maintain  thou  my  lot  for  I  have  a  goodly  heritage, 
and  the  lines  are  fallen  unto  me  in  pleasant  places. 

1  Peter  i.  7.  That  the  trial  of  your  faith  being  much 
more  precious  than  of  gold  that  perisheth,  though 
it  he  tried  with  fire,  might  he  found  unto  praise,  and 
honour,  and  glory  at  the  appearing  of  Jesus  Christ. 

"Our    faith  in  God's  providence   is  then   greatest 
when  we  dare  cast  ourselves  on  his  care,  even  when 
O O 


O Q 

TO  THE  lord's  SUPPER.  213 

to  outward  appearances  he  seemeth  not  at  all  to  care 
for  us :  when  we  can  so  look  on  our  miseries  that  we 
can  withal  look  through  them.  Admirable  is  that  faith 
which  can  with  Israel  see  the  land  of  promise  through 
a  sea,  a  persecution,  a  wilderness ;  through  whole 
armies  of  the  sons  of  Anak  ;  which  can  with  Abraham, 
see  a  posterity  like  the  stars  of  heaven  through  a  dead 
womb,  a  bleeding  sword,  a  sacrificed  son  ;  which  can 
with  Job  see  a  Redeemer,  a  resurrection,  a  restitution) 
through  the  dunghill  and  the  potsherd,  through  ulcers 
and  botches,  through  the  violence  of  heaven  and  of 
men,  through  the  discomforts  of  friends,  the  temptations 
of  a  wife,  and  the  malice  of  Satan ;  which  can  with 
Stephen  see  Christ  in  heaven  through  a  whole  tempest 
and  cloud  of  stones  ;  which  can  with  the  poor  Syro- 
phenician  woman,  see  Christ's  compassion  through  the 
odious  name  of  a  dog ;  which  can  in  every  Egypt  see 
an  Exodus,  in  every  Red  Sea  a  passage,  in  every  fiery 
furnace  an  angel  of  light,  in  every  den  of  lions  a  lion 
of  Judah,  in  every  temptation  a  door  of  escape,  in 
every  grave  an  arise  and  sing.'^-^Bp.  Reynolds. 

2  Peter  iii.  18.     Grow  in  grace,  and  in  the  knoioledge 
of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 

Month  after  month  I  have  come  to  as  a  poor  sinner 
to  the  Lord's  table ;  and  if  asked,  Do  you  not  find 
yourself  more  holy  and  more  heavenly-minded,  more 
dead  to  the  world,  and  more  devoted  to  God,  what 
could  be  my  reply  ?  I  do  believe  these  precious 
means  of  grace  keep  alive  and  maintain,  and  I  would 
fain  hope,  also  advance  religion  in  my  soul ;  but  I 
seem  every  time  to  see  myself  worse  and  worse.  I 
see  more  of  the  depravity  of  my  evil  heart ;  more  of 
the  amazing  evil  and  extent  of  my  sinfulness ;  more 

0 o 


214  MEDITATIONS    PREPARATORY 

of  my  lost  and  ruined  state  in  myself;  and  more  of 
my  infinite,  of  my  daily,  of  my  hourly  need  of  a 
Divine  Saviour.  I  see,  more  clearly  than  ever,  that 
it  is  only  the  continually  restraining  and  strengthening 
grace  of  God  that  ever  made  me,  or  still  makes  me, 
at  all  to  differ  from  others.  There  are  two  depths  of 
which  I  seem  never  to  have  reached  either  the  bottom 
or  the  shore — ^my  sinfulness,  and  God's  grace  in  Jesus 
Christ. 

0  Lord,  I  want  great  grace  and  infinite  mercy, 
even  such  as  is  discovered  in  the  gift  and  the  death 
of  thy  dear  Son,  for  my  spiritual  need.  May  I  now, 
in  waiting  on  the  Lord,  find  my  strength  renewed  as 
the  eagle's  ;  so  that  I  may  run,  and  not  be  weary ; 
and  walk,  and  not  faint ;   even  for  Christ's  sake. 

ACT   OP   CHARITY. 

Phil.  ii.  4.  Look  not  every  man  on  his  oion  things  ;   hut 
every  man  also  on  the  things  of  others. 

Selfishness  has,  alas !  a  continual  prevalence  in 
my  heart ;  but  I  desire,  holy  Father,  now  to  be  filled 
with  thy  Holy  Spirit,  that  my  heart  may  be  enlarged 
with  love  to  all  mankind ;  I  would  now  think  of,  and 
now  pray  for,  all  my  fellow-creatures. 

Enable  me  to  love,  wisely  and  constantly,  my  own 
family,  bearing  with  their  infirmities,  and  not  offend- 
ing or  stumbling  them  by  my  own ;  praying  for  them, 
and  seeking  especially  their  spiritual  welfare. 

1  desire  to  love,  and  oh !  teach  me  to  love,  my 
neighbour  as  myself,  ever  doing  to  him  as  I  would 
that  he  should  do  to  me. 

I  do,  from  my  heart,  forgive  every  one  that  has 
trespassed  against  me.     I  beseech  thee  to  bless  those 

o o 


o o 

TO    THE   lord's    SUPPER.  215 

that  have  hated,  or  injured  me.  Forgive  them,  and 
give  them  every  spiritual  good.  And  bless  those 
whom  I  may  in  any  way  have  injured,  doing  away 
by  thy  mercy  the  Wrong  I  may  have  done  them,  and 
giving  them  grace  to  forgive  me. 

Bless  my  king  ;  all  in  authority ;  all  bishops, 
priests,  and  deacons ;  thy  whole  church ;  my  coun- 
try, with  all  ranks  and  degrees  of  men  in  it,  high  and 
low,  rich  and  poor,  young  and  old,  and  the  whole 
world.  Send  the  light  of  thy  gospel  to  every  land,  and 
give  unto  all  thy  Holy  Spirit.  O  grant  that  the  doc- 
trines of  a  crucified  Saviour  may  be  proclaimed  in 
every  tongue,  till  all  remember  his  death  in  faith 
and  in  penitence,  and  ardent  love  fill  every  bosom. 


0 


O ^ _- . _ Q 


CHAPTER  IV. 

HINTS    FOR    THE    REGULATION    AND    EMPLOYMENT    OF 
THE    MIND    DURING    THE    COMMUNION    SERVICE. 

The  Communion  Service  of  the  Church,  with  re- 
marks upon  it,  and  suitable  meditations,  will  be  given 
hereafter ;  the  object  in  this  chapter  is,  to  assist  the 
Communicant  in  regulating  the  general  state  of  his 
mind,  and  improving  the  leisure  moments  which  he 
will  have  while  others  are  receiving  the  sacred  ele- 
ments. 

A  devout  attendance  on  the  previous  services,  pub- 
lic worship,  singing  the  praises  of  God,  and  hearing 
his  Gospel,  are  peculiarly  calculated  to  prepare  us  for 
the  more  solemn  act  of  devotion  which  succeeds. 

An  interval  of  time,  while  those  who  do  not  intend 
to  partake  of  the  Lord's  Supper  are  leaving  the 
church,  will  allow  you  a  favourable  opportunity  for 
collecting  your  thoughts,  and  offering  up  a  short 
prayer  to  God  for  his  presence,  help,  and  blessing. 

During  the  succeeding  service,  endeavour  to  main- 
tain a  COMPOSED  AND  TRANQUIL  SPIRIT.  Some  are  so 
agitated  by  the  importance  of  the  service  as  to  lose 
calmness  and  self-possession:  but  let  us  remember, 
that  we  are  going  to  a  Father's  table  ;  and  let  us  en- 
deavour to  go  with  freedom  and  cheerfulness,  as  well 
as  with  seriousness  and  devotion. 

Realize,  as  much  as  practicable,  the  divine  pre- 
sence.    It  is  a  solemn  service  in  which  you  are  en- 

o o 


<D _ O 

HINTS  FOR  THE  EMPLOYMENT  OF  THE  MIND.   217 

gaged.  God  is  peculiarly  present.  You  are  about, 
as  it  were,  entering  into  the  holiest,  but  it  is  by  the  blood 
of  Jesus.  Heb.  x.  19.  Receiving  unworthily  is  both 
sinful  and  danserous :  but  this  man  receiveth  sinners 
and  eateth  with  them.  With  David,  then,  pray— -jE;r- 
amine  me,  O  Lord,  and  prove  me  ;  Iry  my  reins  and  my 
heart.  See  if  there  be  any  wicked  toay  in  me,  and  lead 
me  in  the  loay  everlasting:  and  with  David  also  say,  O 
send  out  thy  light  and  thy  truth :  let  them  bring  me  unto 
thy  tabernacles.  Then  will  I  go  unto  the  altar  of  God, 
unto  God  my  exceeding  joy .  Psalm  xliii.  S,  4^ 

The  following  hints,  in  the  way  of  actual  direction, 
may  assist  in  showing  you  how  the  time  may  be  most 
profitably  employed  while  others  are  communicating, 
and  before  or  after  you  yourself  have  communicated. ' 
But  it  is  allowed  that  there  is  some  danger,  lest  we 
should  overload  the  mind  of  the  communicant,  and 
distract  rather  than  help  him.  Be  not  then  anxious 
minutely  to  attend  to  the  whole  of  them,  each  time 
that  you  communicate.  Some  may  serve  to  help  you 
at  one  time,  and  some  at  another.  You  will  find  it 
probably  more  useful,  rather  to  dwell  on  one  or  two 
points,  than  to  be  too  particular  in  attempting  to  attend 
to  them  all  at  one  time. 

Humble  yourself  before  God.  The  nearer  ac- 
cess we  have  to  God,  the  more  humble  we  should  be. 
When  Isaiah  saw  the  glory  of  the  Lord,  and  heard 
the  song  of  the  Seraphim — Holy,  holy,  ho^y  is  the 
Lord  of  hosts ;  the  whole  earth  is  full  of  his  glory  I 
his  own  sinfulness  rushed  upon  his  mind,  and  his  first 
expressions  were— 'TFbe  is  me,  for  I  am  undone,  he- 
cause  I  am  a  man  of  unclean  lips !  When  the  Centu- 
rion came  to  beseech  Jesus  in  behalf  of  his  afflicted 
servant,  and  Jesus  promised  to  come  and  heal  him, 

0 O 

19 


O _ , 0 

218  HINTS    FOR   THE 

see  how  he  humbles  himself  in  the  presence  of  such  a 
visitor — Lord,  I  am  not  worthy  that  thou  shouldest  come 
under  my  roof:  hut  speak  the  word  only,  and  my  servant 
shall  he  healed.  These  are  expressions  suitable  for  us 
at  this  table.  True  humiliation  makes  us  welcome 
the  atonement  of  Christ. 

Let  there  be  acts  of  faith  in  christ  crucified  ; 
such  a  faith  as  worketh  hy  love.  You  are  under  that 
New  Dispensation  where  there  is  remission  of  sins, 
and  may  therefore  have  holdness  to  enter  into  the  holiest, 
hy  the  Mood  of  Jesus,  hy  a  new  and  living  way  luhich  he 
hath  consecrated  for  us,  through  the  veil,  that  is  to  say, 
his  flesh.  Heb,  x.  19,  20.  Now  you  should  be  look- 
ing  to  the  crucified  Redeemer,  with  a  gracious  confi- 
dence, as  the  poor  malefactor  did,  when  that  Redeem- 
er hung  on  the  cross ;  and  saying  to  him, — Lord, 
rememher  me  when  thou  comest  into  thy  kingdom.  Luke 
xxiii.  42.  Look  to  him  as  those  women  did  who  fol- 
lowed him  from  Galilee,  went  after  him  weeping  to 
the  place  of  crucifixion,  and  came  and  stood  by  the 
cross  full  of  fidelity,  tenderness,  and  love.  Matt,  xxvii. 
55.  Or  again,  as  that  disciple  did  whom  Jesus  loved, 
who  waited  on  him  in  his  last  moments,  and  received 
his  dying  charge,  and  immediately  and  stedfastiy  ful- 
filled it.  John  xix.  25-27.  Be  not  content  short  of 
that  faith  which  applies  and  appropriates  to  your  own 
soul  the  benefit  of  the  death  of  Christ. 

Make  known  your  requests  unto  God.  It  is  a 
favourable  time  for  prayer.  Pray,  1.  For  yourself. 
Sinners  are  now  reconciled  to  God  by  the  death  of  his 
Son.  Consider,  then,  what  it  is  you  most  need  ;  and 
be  particular  in  unbosoming  yourself  to  your  God, 
even  as  a  child  would  to  a  kind  and  loving  father. 
Pray  that  the  service  in  which  you  are  now  engaged 
O O 


)  — --^ o 

EMPLOYMENT    OF   THE    MIND.  219 

may  be  a  means  of  grace  to  your  own  soul,  so  that 
you  may  receive  all  the  blessings  designed  by  this 
institution,  and  especially  an  increase  of  faith  in 
Christ :  a  more  simple  and  entire  dependance  on  his 
death,  as  an  offering  and  a  sacrifice  to  God  for  a  siveet- 
smelling  savour.  Pray  also,  2.  For  others  ;  that 
they  may  obtain  like  'precious  faith  with  you,,  in  the 
righteousjiess  of  God,  even  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 
2  Peter  i.  1.-  Enlarge  your  petitions  as  the  time  will 
allow.  Pray  for  your  partners  in  life  ;  if  worldly  and 
unconverted,  wrestle  with  God  for  their  conversion  ; 
if  pious,  pray  that  they  may  abound  always  in  every 
good  word  and  work.  Parents,  bring  your  dear  child- 
ren, as  it  were,  one  by  one,  and  by  name,  before  the 
Lord,  and  ask  for  each  child  a  suitable  blessing. 
Ma-sters,  pray  for  your  servants.  Pass  on  to  the 
devout  recollection  of  all  your  relatives  and  friends, 
and  think  especially  of  the  peculiar  circumstances  of 
any  of  them,  which  may  require  peculiar  aid  from 
God.  Pray  for  your  minister,  that  while  he  dispenses 
to  others,  he  may  also  richly  partake  of  the  bread  of 
life,  to  the  nourishing  of  his  own  soul ;  and  for  your 
fellow  communicants,  that  as  each  partakes  of  the 
outward  symbol,  he  may  inwardly  feed  on  Christ  by 
faith.  Pray,  too,  for  all  Christians  throughout  the 
world.  Intercede  for  all  those  who  have  wronged  or 
injured  you,  striving  to  enter  into  the  full  meaning  of 
our  Lord's  command.  Love  your  enemies.  Pray  for 
Jews,  Turks,  infidels,  and  heretics;  the  death  com- 
memorated in  the  sacrament,  is  that  of  a  Lamb  to  take 
away  the  sins  of  the  world.  Let  then  a  communion 
day  be  specially  a  day  of  intercession  for  all  men, 
that  God  would  pour  out  his  Spirit  on  all  flesh. 
I  Enjoy  communion  with  the  father,  through  the 
O O 


0 — — - — — ^^ — o 

220  HINTS    FOR    THE 

SON,  AND  BY  THE  SPIRIT.  There  is  a  realizing  commu- 
nion with  God  as  a  Father  to  us  his  adopted  children ; 
with  Christ,  our  Lord,  in  his  grace  and  tender  com- 
passion, and  with  the  Holy  Ghost  in  his  teaching, 
sanctifying,  and  comforting  work.  When  men  lost 
the  substance  of  the  blessing  of  feeding  by  faith  on 
Christ  himself,  they  invented  the  Romish  doctrine  of 
transubstantiation ;  taking  up  the  image  of  the  truth, 
instead  of  the  real  blessing.  Nothing  can  satisfy  the 
soul  but  the  real  blessing  ;  the  actual  enjoyment  of 
communion  with  God,  our  Saviour,  at  his  table. 

Praise  god  for  his  manifold  mercies. — Surely  the 
immense  benefits  which  we  are  here  commemoratinsf 
should  lead  us  to  say.  Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul,  and 
all  that  is  ivithin  me  Mess  his  holy  name.  Bless  the 
Lord,  O  my  soul,  and  forget  not  all  his  henefds :  who 
forgiveth  all  thy  iniquities,  who  healeth  all  thy  diseases, 
who  redeemeih  thy  life  from  destruction,  who  crowneth 
thee  with  loving  kindness  and  tender  mercies  ;  who  satis- 
jietli  thy  mouth  with  good  things,  so  that  thy  youth  is  re- 
newed like  the  eaglets.  Never  can  we  view  redeeming 
love  aright  without  a  thankful  and  grateful  heart.  If 
Jesus  has  done  so  much  for  us,  surely  wo  may  well 
offer  up  the  rapturous  song  of  praise,  Unto  him  that 
loved  us,  and  washed  us  from  our  sins  in  his  own  hlood, 
and  hath  made  us  kings  and  priests  unto  God  and  his 
Father,  to  him  he  glory  and  dominion  for  ever  and  ever. 
Amen. 

Give  up  yourself  to  tfje  service  of  God.  All  we 
are,  and  all  we  have,  are  from  him  ;  and  when  such 
mercies  are  presented  before  us  as  the  Lord's  table 
exhibits,  each  should  be  constrained  to  present  himself 
(freely  and  voluntarily  offering  ourselves)  to  be  a 
living  sacrifce,  holy  and  acceptable  unto  God.  Jesus 
O O 


o o 

EMPLOYMENT   OF   THE    MIND.  221 

has  redeemed  us  from  the  death  of  sin,  and  eternal 
ruin ;  let  us,  then,  yield  ourselves  unto  God,  as  those 
that  are  alive  from  the  dead,  and  our  members  as  instru- 
ments of  righteousness  unto  God.  The  Lord's  Supper 
is  one  of  the  appointed  ways  in  which  God  calls  us, 
from  time  to  time,  to  give  up  ourselves  afresh  to  him. 
It  is  an  ordinance  in  which  one  shall  say,  I  am  the 
Lord''s;  and  another  shall  call  himself  by  the  name  of 
Jacob  ;  and  another  shall  subscribe  with  his  hand  unto 
the  Lord,  and  surname  himself  by  the  name  of  Israel, 
Isaiah  xliv.  5. 

Make  holy  resolutions  in  the  strength  of  divine 
GRACE.     Now  is  the  time  to  determine  more  firmly  to 
strive  against  all  sin,  and  more  resolutely  to  fulfil  all 
your  duties.      Deliberately,   in  the  presence  of  God 
and  his  saints,  now  in  your  secret  devotions,  express 
your  stedfast  purpose  to  have  no  felloivship  with  the  un- 
fruitful works  of  darkness,  hut  rather  to  reprove  them  ; 
and  that,  however  assailed  and  tempted,  you  will,  in 
the  strength  of  Christ,  and  quickened  by  his  death,  be 
faithful   unto  him.     Now  is  the  time  to  decide  upon 
and  bind  yourself  to  more  enlarged  charity.     When 
Zaccheus  was  honoured  with  the  presence  of  our  Lord 
under  his  own  roof,  he  said,  Behold,  Lord,  the  half  of 
my  goods  I  give  unto  the  poor,  and  if  I  have  taken  any 
tiling  from  any  man  by  false  accusation,  I  restore  him 
fourfold.     It  was  on  this  determination  that  he  was 
gladdened  by  that  cheering  assurance.  This  day  is  sal- 
vation come  to  this  house,  forasmuch  as  he  also  is  a  son 
of  Abraham.     And  when  Christ  dwells  in  our  hearts 
by  faith,  we  should   be  forming  purposes  and  plans 
how  we  may  most  effectually  lay  ourselves  out    to 
him. 

This  is  also  a  proper  time   for  meditation  upon 

G O 

19* 


0 O 

222    HINTS  FOR  THE  EMPLOYMENT  OF  THE  MIND. 

divine  subjects.  We  shall  endeavour,  in  a  subse- 
quent chapter,  to  furnish  some  helps  in  the  discharge 
of  this  duty.  Let  us  have  ready  some  affecting  pas- 
sages of  God's  word  relating  to  the  love  of  God  in 
Christ,  and  the  Saviour's  sufferings  and  death,  and 
think  on  them  till  the  Holy  Spirit  touch  and  inflame 
our  hearts  with  some  kindlings  of  love  to  God,  and 
some  breathings  after  him. 


O 


Q O 


CHAPTER  V. 

ON    THE    COBIMUNION    SERVICE    OF    THE    CHURCH. 

The  nature  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  and  the  whole  of 
its  design,  are  practically  and  devotionally  brought 
before  us,  in  our  Communion  Service.  We  are  here 
also  furnished  with  a  test  of  those  dispositions  which 
are  needful  for  a  due  reception  of  this  ordinance.  It 
has  been  well  remarked,  "  Read  over  attentively  the 
service  of  our  Church,  and  if  you  can  join  heartily 
and  sincerely,  with  the  spirit  and  with  the  understand- 
ing, in  the  prayers,  the  confession,  and  the  thanks- 
giving that  you  find  there,  you  are  indeed  meet  to  be 
a  partaker  of  those  holy  mysteries." 

It  is  hoped  that  the  following  obsei-vations  on  the 
Communion  Service,  may  assist  the  devotions  of  com- 
municants.* We  have  an  excellent  form  of  sound 
words,  which  we  shall  do  well  to  holdfast;  (2  Tim.  i. 
13.)  but  we  should  ever  remember,  that  there  must  be 
something  besides  the  form  of  words,  however  admir- 
able they  may  be,  to  communicate  the  life  and  feeling 
of  devotion ;    even  the  life-giving  Spirit  of  Jehovah. 

*  Several  of  these  observations  are  taken  from  the  Rev. 
J.  Mihier's  Sermon  on  the  Communion.  The  author  has  not 
entered  into  any  critical  remarks  on  the  service.  Those  v^ho 
wish  to  see  it  defended  from  objections  may  consult  Wheatley, 
Nichols,  and  others,  on  the  Common  Prayer,  and  Hooker's 
Eccl.  Polity,  Book  v.  sect.  68.     The  Author's  object  has  been 

A  to  give  a  few  practical  and  devotional  remarks  on  the  Service. 
_ o 


G O 

224  ON    THE    COMMUNION   SERVICE 

We  may  repeat  the  words  with  our  lips^  without  any 
desire  or  feeling  of  the  heart.  God  may  have  to  say 
of  us,  as  he  did  of  Israel,  They  have  well  said  all  that 
they  have  spoken.  O  that  there  were  such  an  heart  in 
them  ! 

The  whole  of  the  sei^ice  may  be  considered  as  a 
public  record  of  the  most  solemn  and  important  trans- 
actions that  can  take  place  on  earth,  between  the 
fallen  spirit  of  man,  accepting  salvation  by  Jesus 
Christ,  and  the  God  of  the  spirits  of  all  flesh,  giving  the 
pledge  of  that  salvation  by  his  ministers. 

The  service  begins  with  the  Lord's  Pra3^er :  well 
may  we  commence  this  solemn  transaction  with  ad- 
dressing God  as  a  Father,  and  with  petitions  for  the 
advancement  of  his  glory,  the  gift  of  our  daily  bread, 
and  the  forgiveness  of  our  own  sins,  with  a  profession 
to  forgive  all  others  sinning  against  us.  These  petitions 
will  all  bear  an  edifying  reference  to  the  important 
duty  in  which  we  are  about  to  engage. 

The  affecting  prayer  that  God  would  "  cleanse  the 
thoughts  of  our  hearts  by  the  inspiration  of  his  Holy  ; 
Spirit,"  is  adapted  to  our  fallen  and  impure  state,  un- 
able of  ourselves  to  think  any  thing  aright,  and  yet 
hoping  for  the  promised  aid  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  To 
pray  that  we  may  perfectly  love  God,  is  a  suitable  in- 
troduction to  the  ten  commandments,  which  are  next 
brought  before  us,  love  being  the  fulfilling  of  the  law. 

The  compilers  of  our  Liturgy,  knowing  that  hy  the 
law  is  the  knowledge  cf  sin,  and  that  a  penitent  heart 
is  nx)st  needful  for  a  due  reception  of  the  Lord's  Sup- 
per, have  well  placed  at  the  commencement  o^  this 
service,  the  ten  commandments,  containing  a  compre- 
hensive summary  of  the  holy  law  of  God.  We  must 
not  suppose  that  these  precepts  relate  only  to  the  out- 
O O 


O — .„_ — = 0 

OF    THE    CHURCH.  225 

ward  act  of  sin  ;  our  Lord  has  shown  us  that  they 
forbid  that  principle  or  love  of  sin,  which  leads  to  out- 
ward iniquity.  When,  for  instance,  it  is  said,  Thou 
shall  have'none  other  gods  but  me,  it  forbids  our  forget- 
fulness  of  God,  and  our  love  of  the  world  ;  if  any  man 
Jove  the  world,  the  love  of  the  Father  is  not  in  him. 
When  it  is  said,  Thou  shall  do  710  murder,  angry 
thoughts,  and  malice,  and  revenge  are  forbidden,  as 
well  as  murder.  When  we  are  told,  Thou  shalt  not 
commit  adultery,  impure  thoughts  are  equally  forbid- 
den. This  manifestly  is  the  obedience  which  the  Lord 
of  all  requires,  Matt.  v.  21,  22,  27,  28.  Hence  you 
observe,  that  after  every  command  the  congregation 
are  directed  to  say,  "  Lord  have  mercy  on  us  ;  "  here- 
by, as  it  is  said  in  the  rubric,  asking  God  mercy  for 
their  transgression  thereof  for  the  time  past.  You 
should  inquire,  therefore,  whether,  when  you  have  re- 
peated these  words  after  each  command,  you  really 
felt  that  you  had  in  the  sight  of  God  broken  that  com- 
mand, and  needed  his  pardoning  mercy.  We  are  far- 
ther taught  to  add,  "  and  incline  our  hearts  to  keep 
this  law."  This  plainly  expresses,  if  we  repeat  it  in 
sincerity,  that  we  are  convinced  that  we  have  neither 
natural  inclination,  nor  power  of  ourselves,  to  obey 
God's  holy  commands  ;  but  look  up  to  him,  and  de- 
pend wholly  on  him,  to  dispose  and  enable  us  to  do 
his  will ;  and  really  purpose  and  desire  to  obey  his  holy 
law. 

The  COLLECTS  for  each  Sunday  are  generally  adapt- 
ed to  prepare  our  minds  for  the  portion  of  Scripture 
selected  from  the  epistles  and  gospels.  Our  church, 
after  the  declaration  of  the  law  in  the  ten  command- 
ments, brings  before  us  some  suitable  and  affecting 

o o 


Q' 


226 


ON    THE    COMMUNION    SERVICE 


portion  of  the  gospel  of  that  Saviour  by  whom  we  are 
redeemed  from  the  curse  of  the  Jaw. 

The  part  of  this  service  that  we  have  hitherto  con- 
sidered, is  directed  to  be  read  every  Sunday,  as  it 
were  to  invite  Christians  to  more  frequent  communion. 
And  observe  how  far  we  have  now  beeii  led.  The 
holy  law  of  God  having  been  set  before  us,  we  have 
been  taught  to  acknowledge  ourselves  guilty  and  help- 
less. The  gospel  of  Christ  beitig  then  read,  we  have 
been  called  on  to  express  our  faith  in  God  as  our 
Father,  Jesus  as  our  Saviour,  and  the  Holy  Ghost  as 
our  Sanctifier.  Retrace  then  your  thoughts.  Have 
you  been  sincere  when  you  have  repeated  this  ser- 
vice ?  Have  you  felt,  as  well  as  acknowledged,  your 
sinfulness  and  your  weakness  ?  Has  the  gospel  really 
been  good  tidings  to  you  ?  Was  the  profession  of  faith 
repeated  in  the  creed  more  than  a  mere  expression  of 
the  lips  ?  Was  it  the  unfeigned  confidence  and  con- 
viction of  an  upright  and  true  heart  ?  If  you  have 
proceeded  thus  far  in  sincerity,  you  are  a  penitent  be- 
liever ;  you  are  in  a  fit  state  of  mind  to  receive  the 
Lord's  Supper. 

The  Sunday  before  that  on  which  it  is  designed  to 
celebrate  this  ordinance,  a  suitable  exhortation  is 
appointed  to  be  read.  Two  are  given  in  the  Prayer 
Book.  One  contains  directions  to  prevent  our  receiv- 
ing it  in  a  careless  and  presumptuous  spirit ;  and  the 
other  urges  those  to  come  who  are  in  the  habit  of  neg- 
lecting. You  will  find  it  useful  to  read  these  to  assist 
you  in  your  preparation. 

We  now  come  to  that  part  of  the  Liturgy  which  is 
more  directly  connected  with  the  administration  of  this 
institution. 


O- 


■o 


0_ o 

OF    THE    CHURCH.  227 


A  PRAYER   BEFORE    THE    COMMTTNION    SERVICE. 

O  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  came  into  the  world  to 
save  sinners,  and  invitest  the  weary  and  heavy-laden 
to  come  unto  thee ;  against  whom  the  reproach  was 
once  cast,  This  man  receiveth  sinners  and  eaieth  with 
//ie/?i,---burdened  with  many  sins,  1  would  now  come 
unto  thee  as  my  only,  and  complete,  and  all-sufficient 
Saviour,  my  wise  and  powerful,  my  tender  and  loving 
Lord  and  master,  and  in  obedience  to  thy  command,  I 
would  now  at  thy  table  remember  thee.  O  give  me, 
and  all  of  us  assembled  with  one  accord  in  this  place, 
grace  to  believe  and  love.  Give  us  a  calm  and  tran- 
quil  mind  ;  let  us  set  the  Lord  before  us,  and  be  hum- 
bled in  his  presence,  and  be  cheered  with  his  love. 
So  manifest  thyself  to  us,  that  we  may  have  a  happy 
experience  that  our  Saviour  is  in  the  midst  of  us  ;  may 
it  be  a  season  of  near  and  close  communion  with  thee, 
and  with  each  other ;  may  great  grace  be  upon  us, 
and  thus  may  we  enjoy  together  the  communion  of  thy 
body  and  thy  blood,  and  feel  that  though  many,  we  are 
all  one  in  thee,  O  Christ  Jesus,  and  one  with  thee  and 
the  Father ;  and  have  an  assured  hope  that  we  shall 
at  length  be  with  thee,  where  thou  art,  and  for  ever 
behold  thy  glory. 

When  assembled  together  at  the  Lord's  table,  you 
are  called  on  by  a  selection  of  appropriate  passages, 
to  contribute  according  to  your  means  to  the  relief  of 
your  poorer  brethren.  Thus  an  opportunity  is  given 
you  of  showing  your  faith  by  your  works.  Our  Sa- 
viour seems  to  suppose  we  should  never  come  here 
before  the  Lord  without  a  gift.  Matt.  v.  23.  These 
passages  are  as  follow. 

o — d 


-0 


228 


ON    THE    COMMUNION    SERVICE 


LET  your  light  so  shine  be- 
fore mpii,  that  they  may  see 
your  good  works,  and  glorify 
your  Father  which  is  in  heaven. 
Matt.  V.  16. 

Lay  not  up  for  yourselves 
treasure  upon  the  earth,  where 
the  rust  and  nnoth  doth  cor- 
rupt, and  where  thieves  break 
through  and  steal :  bui  lay  up  for 
yourselves  treasures  in  heaven  ; 
where  neither  rust  nor  moth  doili 
corrupt,  and  whpre  thieves  do 
no-t  break  through  and  steal. 
Matt.  vi.  19. 

Whatsoever  ye  would  that  men 
should  do  unto  you,  even  so  do 
unlo  them  ;  for  this  is  the  law 
and  the  prophets.  Matt.  vii.  12. 

Not  every  one  that  saith  unto 
me,  Lord,  iLord.  shall  enter  into 
the  kingdom  of  heaven  ;  but  he 
that  doeth  tlie  will  of  my  Father 
which  is  in  heaven.  Matt.  vii. 
21. 

Zaccheus  stood  forth,  and  said 
unto  the  Lord,  Behold,- Lord,  the 
half  of  my  goods  I  give  to  the 
poor ;  and  if  I  have  done  any 
wrou^  to  any  man^  I  restore 
fourlold.    Luke  xix.  8. 

Who  goeth  a.  warfare  at  any 
time  of  his  own  cost  ?  Who 
planted  a  vineyard,  and  eati  th 
not  of  the  fruit  thereof?  Or  who 
feedeth  a  flock,  and  eaeth  not 
of  the  milk  of  the  flock  ?  1  Cor. 
ix.  7. 

If  we  have  sown  unto  you  spi- 
ritual things,  is  it  a  great  matter 
if  we  .should  reap  your  worldly 
things  ?    1  Cor.  ix.  11. 

Do  ye  not  know  that  they  who 
minister  about  lioly  things  live 
of  the  sacrifice :  and  they  who 
wait  at  the  altar  are  partakers 
with  the  altar?  Even  so  hatli 
the  Lord  also  ordaint-d  that  thpy 
who  preach  the  Gosj)el  should 
live  of  the  Gospel.  1  Cor.  ix. 
13,  14. 

He  that  soweth  little  shall 
reap  little  ;  and  he  that  sowetli 
plenteously  shall  reap  plenteous- 


ly.  Let  every  man  do  according 
as  he  is  disposed  in  his  heart, 
not  gr  idgingly,  m  of  necessity  ; 
lor  (Jod  loveih  a  cheerful  giver. 
2  Cor.  ix.  6. 

Let  him  that  is  taught  in  the 
Word  minister  unto  him  that 
teacheth,  in  all  good  things.  Re 
not  deceived,  God  is  not  mock- 
ed :  for  whatsoever  a  man  sow- 
pth  that  shall  he  reap.  Gal.  vi. 
6,7. 

While  we  have  time  let  us  do 
good  unto  all  men  ;  and  special- 
ly unto  them  that  are  of  the 
household  of  (aith.  Gal.  vi.  10. 

Godliness  is  great  riches,  if  a 
man  be  content  with  that  he 
hath :  for  we  brought  nothing 
into  the  world,  neither  may  we 
carry  any  thing  out.  1  Tim.  vi. 
6,7. 

Charge  them  who  are  rich  in 
this  world,  that  the/  be  ready  to 
give,  and  glad  to  distribute,  lay- 
ing up  in  store  for  themselves  a 
good  foundation  against  the  time 
lo  come,  that  they  may  attain 
etern-al  life.     I  Tun.  vi.  17-19. 

God  is  not  unrighteous,  that  he 
will  forget  your  works,  and  la- 
bour that  proceedelh  of  love  ; 
which  love  ye  have  showed  for 
his  Name'^s  sake,  who  have  min- 
istered unto  the  saints,  and  yet 
do  minister.  Heb.  vi.  10. 

'J'o  do  good,  and  to  distribute, 
forget  not  ;  for  with  such  sacri- 
fices God  is  well  pleased.  Heb. 
xiii.  16. 

Whoso  hath  this  world's  good, 
and  seeth  his  brother  have  need, 
and  shuiteth  up  his  compassion 
from  him,  how  dwelleth  the  love 
of  God  in  him?  1  John  iii.  17. 

Give  alms  of  thy  goods,  and 
never   turn   thy  face   from    any 
poor  man  ;  and  then  the  face  of 
the    Lord    shall  not    be   turned    | 
away  from  thee.  Tobit  iv.  7. 

Be  merciful  after  thy  power. 
If  thou  hast  much,  give  plente- 
ously:  if  thou  hast  little,  do  thy 
ddigence  gladly  to  give  of  that 


o 


-o 


G- 


-O 


OF    THE    CHURCH. 


little  :  for  so  gatherest  thou  thy- 
sell"  a  good  reward  in  tlie  day  ol" 
netes>ily.  Tobit  iv.  M,  9. 

He  that  hath  pity  upon  the 
poor,  lendelh  unto  the  Lord  : 
and  look,  what  he  layeth.out,  it 


229 


Prov. 


shall  be  paid  him  again, 
xix.  17. 

Blessed  be  the  man  that  pro- 
videlh  for  the  sick  and  needy; 
the  Lord  shall  deliver  him  in  the 
time  of  trouble.  Psalm  xli.  I. 


In  giving  your  alms,  this  or  the  like  ejaculation 
may  be  used — 

All  things  come  of  iJiee,  and  of  thine  own  have  we 
given  thee.   1  Chron.  xxix.  14. 

Our  charity  towards  our  fellow  creatures,  and  es- 
pecially  towards  our  fellow  Christians,  is  farther  mani- 
fested by  the  following  earnest  prayer  for  the  whole 
church.     The  Priest  is  directed  to  say, 


G- 


LET  us  pray  for  the  whole 
stale  of  Christ's  Church  Mi- 
litant here  on  earth. 

Almighty  and  everliving  God, 
who,  by  thy  holy  Apostle,  hast 
taught  us  to  make  prayers  and 
supplications,  and  to  give  iha  dis, 
for  all  men :  We  humbly  be- 
seech thee  most  mercilully  {*to 
accept  our  alms  and  oblations, 
and]  to  receive  these  our  jjrayers, 
which  we  oifer  unto  thy  Divine 
Majesty  ;  besepcliing  thee  to  in- 
spire continually  the  universal 
Church  wiih  the  s|)irit  of  truth, 
unity,  and  concord  ;  and  grant 
tliat  all  those  wbo  do  confess  thy 
holy  name  may  agree  in  the 
truth  of  ihy  holy  word,  and  live 
in  unity  and  godly  love.  We 
beseech  thee  also,  so  to  airect 
and  dispose  the  hearts  of  all 
Christian  rulers,  that  they  may 
truly  and  impartially  administer 
justice,  to  the  punishment  of 
wickedness  and  vice,  and  to  the 
maintenance  of  thy  true  religion 

*  If  there  be  no  alms  or  obla- 
tions, then  shall  the  words,  (to 
accept  our  alms  and  oblations, 
and)  be  left  unsaid. 


and  virtue.  Give  grace,  0  hea- 
venly Father,  to  all  Bishops  and 
other  Ministers  ;  that  they  may, 
both  by  their  life  and  doctrine, 
set  forth  thy  true  and  lively 
word,  and  rightly  and  duly  ad- 
minister thy  holy  sacraments. 
And  to  all  thy  j)eople  give  thy 
heavenly  grace  ;  and  especially 
to  this  congregation  here  pre- 
sent ;  that  with  nieek  heart,  and 
due  reverence,  they  may  hear 
and  receive  thy  Holy  Word  ; 
truly  serving  thee  in  holiness 
and  righteousness  all  the  days 
of  their  life.  And  we  most  hum- 
bly beseech  thee,  of  thy  good- 
ness, O  Lord,  to  comfort  and 
succour  all  those  who,  in  this 
transitory  life,  are  in  trouble, 
sorrow,  need,  sickness,  or  any 
other  adversity.  And  we  also 
bless  thy  holy  name,  for  all  thy 
t^ervants  departed  this  life  in  thy 
faith  and  fear  ;  besee.  hing  thee 
to  give  us  grace  so  to  lollow 
their  good  examples,  that  with 
them  we  may  be  partakers  of 
thy  heavenly  kingdom:  Grant 
this,  0  Father,  for  Jesus  Christ's 
sake,  our  only  Mediator  and 
Advocate.     Amen. 


-o 


20 


-o 


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ON    THE    COMMUNION    SERVICE 


Let  your  heart  be  making  a  fervent,  but  secret  and 
silent,  "  Amen"  to  the  various  petitions,  as  the  minis- 
ter proceeds  in  offering  up  the  above  prayer. 


The  Priest  then  reads  this 
Exhortation^ 

DEARLY  beloved  in  the  Lord, 
ye  that  mind  to  come  to  the  holy 
Communion  of  the  Body  and 
Blood  of  our  Saviour  Chris^t, 
must  consider  how  St.  Paul  ex- 
horteth  all  persons  diligently  to 
try  and  examine  themselves,  be- 
fore they  presume  to  eat  of  that 
Bread,  and  drink  of  that  Cup. 
For  as  the  benefit  is  great,  if 
with  a  true  penitent  heart  and 
lively  faith,  we  receive  that 
holy  Sacrament ;  (for  tnen  we 
spiritually  eat  the  flesh  of  Christ, 
and  (iniiii  his  blood  ;  then  we 
dwell  in  Clirist,  and  Cln-ist  in  us  : 
we  are  one  with  Christ,  and 
Christ  with  us  ;)  so  is  the  danger 
great,  if  we  receive  the  same  un- 
worthily. For  then  we  are  guilty 
of  the  Body  and  Blood  of  Christ 
our  Saviour;  we  eat  and  drink 
our  own  damnation,  not  consid- 
ering the  Lord's  Body  ;  we  kin- 
dle God's  wrath  against  us  ;  we 
provoke  him  to  plague  us  with 
divers  diseases,  and  sundry  kinds 
of  deatli.  Judge  therefore  your- 
selves, brethren,  tliat  ye  be  not 
judged  of  the  Lord  ;  repent  you 
truly  for  your  sins  past;  have 
a  lively  and  sled  fast  faith  m 
Christ  our  Saviour  ;  amend  your 
lives,  and  be  in  perfect  charity 


with  all  men  ;  so  shall  ye  be 
meet  partakers  of  those  holy 
mysteries.  And  above  all  things 
ye  must  give  most  humble  and 
hearty  thanks  to  God  the  Father, 
the  Son.  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  for 
the  redemption  of  the  world  by 
the  death  and  passion  of  our  Sa- 
viour Christ,  both  God  and  man  ; 
who  did  humble  himself,  even  to 
the  death  upon  the  cross,  for  us 
miserable  sinners,  who  lay  in 
darkness  and  the  shadow  of 
death :  that  he  might  make  us 
the  children  of  God,  and  exalt 
us  to  everlasling  life.  Ar^d  to 
the  end  that  we  should  alvvay 
remember  the  exceeding  great 
love  of  our  Master,  and  only  Sa- 
viour, Jesus  Ciu'ist,  thus  dying 
for  us,  and  the  innumerable  bene- 
fits which  by  his  precious  blood- 
shedding  he  hath  obtained  to  us; 
he  hath  instituted  and  ordained 
holy  mysteries,  as  pledges  of  his 
love,  and  for  a  continual  remem- 
brance of  his  death,  to  our  great 
and  endless  comfort.  To  him, 
therefore,  with  tlie  Father  and 
the  Holy  Ghost,  let  us  give  (as 
we  are  most  bound  en)  contin- 
ual thanks  ;  submitting  ourselves 
wholly  to  his  holy  will  and  plea- 
sure, and  studying  tt)  serve  him 
in  true  holiness  and  righteous- 
ness all  the  days  of  our  life. 
Amen. 


We  are  here  specially  urged  to  self-examination 
and  thankfulness.  Self-examination  is  urged  on  ac- 
count of  the  danger  of  coming  unworthily.  The  word 
"  damnation"  must  not  here  be  understood  of  eternal 
destruction,  but  the  just  condemnation  and  displeasure 
of  God.       Self-examination    is    also    pressed    on    our 


0- 


-O 


0- 


-0 


OF    THE  CHURCH. 


231 


attention  from  the  benefit  of  duly  receiving,  as  then 
we  are  partakers  of  Christ's  salvation  ;  "  we  dwell  in 
Christ,  and  Christ  in  us."  What  an  intimate  and 
blessed  communion  does  this  describe !  O  reader, 
seek  to  know  its  blessedness  in  your  own  experience ! 
We  are  called  on  in  the  latter  part  of  the  exhortation, 
to  be  thankful  for  the  inestimable  benefit  of  redemp- 
tion, the  chief  thing  ever  to  be  regarded  in  the  Lord's 
Supper.  Notice  the  confession,  miserable  sinners,  <^c. 
Have  you  felt  that  this  is  your  true  character  ?  It  is 
easy  to  express  this  sentiment,  but  it  is  very  difficult 
really  to  feel  it.  Yet  without  a  real  conviction  of  your 
true  state,  you  cannot  be  cordially  thankful  for  your 
redemption.  You  can  neither  duly  prize,  nor  heartily 
thank,  Jesus  Christ.  The  latter  part  of  the  exhorta- 
tion shows  us  that  the  true  comfort  of  the  soul  is  Christ 
crucified  for  our  sins,  and  Christ  expected  to  appear 
again,  to  complete  our  happiness.  We  should  hear  the 
whole  in  the  spirit  of  prayer,  sending  up  in  secret  such 
ejaculations  as  these,  "  Lord,  grant  that  I  may  re- 
ceive these  benefits  ! "  "  Lord,  deliver  me  from  this 
danger ! " 

The  characters  by  whom  comfort  may  be  expected, 
are  described  in  the  following  address. 


YR  that  do  truly  and  earnestly 
repent  you  of  your  sins,  and  are 
in  love  and  charity  with  your 
neighbours,  and  intend  to  lead  a 
new  life,  following  the  command- 
ments of  God,  and  walking  from 


henceforth  in  his  holy  ways  ; 
draw  near  with  faith,  and  take 
this  holy  Sacrament  to  your  com- 
fort ;  and  make  your  humble  con- 
fession to  Almighty  God,  meekly 
kneeling  upon  your  knees. 


While  this  is  repeating  by  the  Minister,  we  should 
also  be  lifting  up  our  hearts  to  God,  to  give  us  grace 
to  repent,  and  be  in  love  with  others,  and  walk  in  the 
ways  of  God. 


G- 


-O 


o- 


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232 


ON    THE    COMMUNION    SERVICE 


To   this   succeeds  this  general   confession   to  be 
made  by  both  Minister  and  people,  all  kneeling. 


ALMIGHTY  God,  Father  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  maker  of 
all  tilings,  judge  of  all  men  5  we 
acknowledge  and  bewail  our 
manifold  sins  and  wickedness, 
which  we,  from  time  to  time, 
most  grievously  have  committed 
by  thought,  word,  and  deed, 
against  ihy  Divine  Majesty,  pro- 
voUmg  most  justly,  itiy  wrath 
and  indignation  against  us.  We 
do  earnestly  repent,  and  are 
heartily  sorry  for  these  our  mis- 


doings ;  the  remembrance  of 
them  is  grievous  unto  us  ;  the 
burden  of  them  is  intolerable. 
Have  mercy  upon  us,  have  mercy 
upon  us,  most  merciful  Father  ; 
for  thy  Son  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ's  sake,  forgive  us  all  that 
is  past ;  and  grant  that  we  may 
ever  hereafter  serve  and  please 
ihce,  in  newness  of  life,  to  the 
honour  and  glory  of  thy  name : 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
Ameii. 


We  here,  in  most  just  and  abasing  expressions,  de- 
plore our  sinfulness.  This  confession  should  lead  us 
to  think  of  our  own  personal  guilt  in  any  light  that 
may  most  affect  us,  and  to  charge  our  memory  with 
those  views  of  our  iniquity,  which  we  know,  by  expe- 
rience, most  humble  us,  and  show  us,  with  peculiar 
emphasis,  the  need  which  we  have  of  Christ's  blood. 
But  while  we  have  reason,  with  the  deepest  contrition, 
to  confess  that  the  burden  of  our  sins  is  intolerable,* 
(being  a  load  that  would  have  sunk  us  to  eternal  ruin) 
let  us  endeavour  to  keep  our  eye  on  Christ,  and  by 
faith  transfer  our  guilt  over  to  him,  bewailing  our 
utter  unworthiness,  glorying  in  his  worthiness,  and  so- 
liciting, through  him,  not  only  peace  of  conscience, 
but  strength  for  serving  him  in  newness  of  life. 

*  The  burden  of  our  sins  is  intolerable,  not  as  it  regards  our 
feeling  of  the  evil  of  sin  ;  for,  alas  !  we  have  in  general  far  too 
little  feeling  on  that  subject.  From  this  mistake,  some  well- 
disposed  persons  have  declared  themselves  afraid  to  join  in  the 
confession;  but  we  are  taught  only  to  confess  our  conviction  of 
the  affecting  truth  that  the  guilt  of  sin  will,  if  it  is  not  removed, 
for  ever  ruin  our  souls. 


o- 


-0 


o 


o 


OF    THE    CHURCH. 


233 


This  ABSOLUTION,  or  declaration  of  forgiveness  is 
then  pronounced  by  the  Priest. 


ALMIGHTY  God  our  heaven- 
Iv  Father,  who  of  his  great  mer- 
cy hath  promised  forgiveness?  of 
sins  to  all  them  that  with  hearty 
repentance  and  true  faith  turn 
unto  him  ;  have  mercy  upon  you  ; 


pardon  and  deliver  you  from  all 
your  sins  ;  contirm  and  strength- 
en you  in  all  goodness ;  and 
bring  you  to  everlasting  lifp  ; 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
Amen. 


All  who  heartily  repent  and  truly  believe,  all  who 
have  with  any  feeling  joined  in  the  preceding  service, 
may  and  should  here  apply  to  themselves  the  comfort 
of  the  Gospel  as  declared  by  the  appointed  Minister 
of  Christ.  But  man's  words  cannot  of  themselves 
speak  peace  to  the  troubled  conscience  :  and  therefore 
the  Minister's  declaration  of  forgiveness  is  confirmed 
by  these  well -chosen  passages  of  Scripture,  the  Minis- 
ter saying, 


HEAR  what  comfortable  words 
our  Saviour  Christ  saith  unto 
all  that  truly  turn  unto  him. 

Come  unto  me  all  ye  that  tra- 
vail and  are  heavy  laden,  and  I 
will  refresh  you,  Matthew  xi. 
2S. 

So  God  loved  the  world,  that 
he  gave  hi*  only-begotten  Son, 
to  the  end  that  all  tliat  believe 
in  him  should  not  perish,  but 
have  everlasting  life,  John  iii. 
16. 


Hear  also  what  St.  Paul  saith. 

This  is  a  true  saying,  and  wor- 
thy of  all  men  to  be  received, 
That  Christ  Jesus  came  into  the 
world  to  save  sinners,  1  Tim. 
i.  15. 

Hear  also  what  St.  John  saith. 

If  any  man  sin,  we  have  an 
advocate  with  the  Father,  Jesus 
Christ  the  righteous  ;  and  he  is 
the  propitiation  for  our  sins,  I 
John  ii.  1. 


These  passages  should  be  heard  in  faith  and  prayer. 
They  are  indeed  most  comfortable.  They  tell  the 
weary,  burdened,  and  troubled  conscience,  Take  not 
God's  pardon  on  my  word,  I  have  a  commission  from 
above.  Hear  our  Saviour  Christ;  hear  St.  Paul; 
hear  St.  John  speak  and  say,  "  Poor,  burdened,  troub- 
led sinner,  here  is  peace  for  thee  ;  Christ  takes  away 
all  thy  sins,  and  will  give  thee  everlasting  life." 


G- 


20* 


-O 


o- 


-o 


234 


ON    THE    COMMUNION    SERVICE 


It  will  have  been  seen  that  there  is  set  forth  in  this 
service,  as  has  been  noticed,  one  of  the  most  solemn 
transactions  that  can  take  place  on  earth  between  God 
and  man.  "  If  we  have  been  in  earnest,  if  we  have 
rightly  joined  in  it,  we  are  justified  by  faith,  we  rejoice 
in  God,  and  we  have  peace  of  conscience.  High,  and 
holy,  and  blessed  is  our  state  ;  we  are  children  of  God, 
and  heirs  of  everlastino-  life." 

o 

The  several  parts  which  follow,  describe,  and  assist 
the  feelings  and  emotions  of  the  pious  and  believing 
soul.  Humility  and  praise  sweetly  temper  one  an- 
other. Mourning  for  sin,  and  joy  in  God  through  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  delightfully  go  together. 


O- 


The  Priest  proceeds.,  saying, 

Lift  up  your  hearts. 

Answer. — We  lift  them  up  un- 
to the  Lord. 

Priest. — Let  us  give  thanks 
unto  our  Lord  God. 

Answer. — It  is  meet  and  right 
so  to  do. 

Then  shall  the  Priest  turn  to  the 
Lord^s  I'able,  and  say, 

It  is  very  meet,  right,  and  our 
hounden  duty,  that  we  should,  at 
all  times  and  in  all  places,  give 
thanks  unto  thee,  O  Lord,  *  Holy 
Father,  Almighty,  everlajsting 
God. 

*  [These  words  (Holy  Father) 
must  be  omitted  on  Trinity  Sun- 
day.] 

Here  shall  follow  the  proper  Pre- 
faces, according  to  the  time,  if 
there  be  any  specially  appoint- 
ed ;  or  else  immediately  shall 
follow. 

THEREFORE  with  Angels 
and  Archangels,  and  with  all  the 
company  of  heitven,  we  laud  and 
magnify  thy  glorious  name  ;  ev- 
ermore praising  thee,  and  saying, 
Holy,  holy,  holy,  Lord  God  o[ 


hosts,  heaven  and  earth  are  full 
of  thy  glory :  Glory  to  be  to 
thee,  0  Lord,  most  High.  Amen. 

PROPER  PREFACES. 

Upon  Christmas- Day,  and  Seven 
Days  after. 
BECAUSE  thou  didst  give  Je- 
sus Christ  thine  only  Son  to  be 
born  as  at  this  time  for  us  ;  who, 
by  the  operation  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  was  made  very  man  of 
the  substance  of  the  Virgin  Mary 
his  mother ;  and  that  without 
spot  of  sin,  to  make  us  clean 
from  all  sin.  Therefore  with 
angels,  &c. 

Upon  Easter-Day,  and  Seven 
Days  after. 
BUT  chiefly  we  are  bound  to 
praise  thee  for  the  glorious  Re- 
surrection of  thy  Son  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord :  for  he  is  the 
very  Paschal  Lamb,  which  was 
ofiered  for  us,  and  hath  taken 
away  the  sin  of  the  world  :  who 
by  his  death  hath  destroyed 
death,  and  by  his  rising  to  life 
again  hath  restored  to  us  ever- 
lasting life.  Therefore  with 
Angels,  &c. 


-o 


o- 


-o 


OF   THE    CHURCH. 


235 


Upon  Ascension-Day,  and  Seven 
Days  after. 

THROUGH  thy  most  dearly 
beloved  Son  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord  ;  who  after  his  most  glori- 
ous Resurrection,  manifestly  ap- 
peared to  all  his  apostles,  and  in 
their  sight  ascended  up  into  hea- 
ven to  prepare  a  place  for  us ; 
that  where  he  is,  thither  we 
might  also  ascend,  and  reign 
with  him  in  glory.  Therefore 
with  angels,  &c. 

Upon    Whit    Sunday    and    Six 
Days  after. 

THROUGH  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord  ;  according  to  whose  most 
true  promise,  the  Holy  Ghost 
came  down  as  at  this  time  from 
heaven  with  a  sudden  great 
sound  as  it  had  been  a  mighty 
wind,    in  the   likeness    of    tiery 


tongues,  lishtiiig  upon  the  Apos- 
tles, to  teach  them,  and  to  lead 
them  to  all  truth  ;  giving  them 
both  the  gift  of  divers  languages, 
and  also  boldness  with  fervent 
zeal  constantly  to  preach  the 
Gospel  unto  all  nations  ;  where- 
by we  have  been  brought  out  of 
darkness  and  error  into  the  clear 
light  and  true  knowledge  of  thee, 
and  of  thy  i<on  Jesus  Christ. 
Therefore  with  Angels,  &c. 

Upon  the  Feast  of  Trinity  only. 

WHO  art  one  God,  one  Lord  ; 
not  one  only  person,  but  three 
Persons  in  one  Substance.  For 
that  which  we  believe  of  the 
glory  of  the  Father,  the  same 
we  believe  of  the  Son,  and  of  the 
Holy  Ghost  without  any  difter- 
ence  or  inequality.  Therefore 
with  Angels,  &c. 


After  these  holy  songs  of  praise,  the  minister  offers 
up,  in  the  name  of  the  congregation,  the  following 
affecting  prayer. 


WE  do  not  presume  to  come 
to  this  thy  table,  O  merciful 
Lord,  trusting  in  our  own  right- 
eousness, but  in  thy  manifold 
and  great  mercies.  We  are  not 
worthy  so  much  as  to  gather  up 
the  crumbs  under  thy  table.  But 
thou  art  the  same  Lord,  whose 
property  is  always  to  have  mer- 


cy :  Grant  us,  therefore,  gra- 
cious Lord,  so  to  eat  the  flesh  of 
thy  dear  Son  Jesus  Christ,  and 
to  drink  his  blood,  that  our  sin- 
ful bodies  may  be  made  clean  by 
his  body,  and  our  souls  washed 
through  his  most  precious  blood, 
and  that  we  may  evermore  dwell 
in  him,  and  he  in  us.  Amen. 


In  this  prayer  the  Church  adopts  similar  expressions 
to  those  of  Daniel,  of  the  humble  and  lowlv  feelincps 
which  most  become  us  after  our  best  preparations,  and 
in  our  highest  devotions,  and  most  intimate  communion 
with  God.  "  We  do  not  presume  to  come,  trusting  in 
our  own  righteousness."  There  appears  also  an  evi- 
dent allusion  to  the  history  of  the  Canaanitish  woman, 
only  with  a  still  more  debasing  expression  ;  she  said, 
Jlie  dogs  eat  of  the  crumbs  which  fall  from  their  master^  s 


O- 


-o 


^o 


236 


ON    THE    COMBIUNION    SERVICE 


table  ;  (Matthew  xv.  27.)  but  we  are  taught  with  our 
heart  and  mouth  to  confess  ourselves  "  not  worthy  so 
much  as  to  gather  up  the  crumbs,"  &c.  In  stating 
our  title  to  God's  acceptance,  all  our  works  are  to  be 
utterly  renounced  as  of  no  worth.  The  worthiness  of 
Christ  is  all  we  have  to  plead. 

The  priest  then  says  the  prayer  of  consecration. 

ALMIGHTY  God,  our  hea- 
venly Father,  who  of  thy  tender 
mercy  did^l  give  thine  only  Son 
Jesu?s  Christ  to  suffer  death  upon 
the  cross  lor  our  redemption  ; 
who  made  tliere  (by  his  own  ob- 
lation of  himself  once  offered)  a 
full,  perfect,  and  sufficient  sacri- 
fice, oblation,  and  satisfaction, 
for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world  ; 
and  did  institute,  and  in  his  lioly 
Gospel  command  us  to  continue, 
a  perpetual  memory  of  that  his 
precious  death,  until  his  com- 
ing again,  hear  us,  O  merciful 
Father,  we  most  humbly  beseech 
thee  ;  and  grant  that  we,  receiv- 
ing these  thy  creatures  of  bread 
and  wine,  according  to  thy  Son 
our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ's  holy 
institution,  in   remembrance   of 


his  death  and  passion,  may  be 
partakers  of  his  most  blessed 
Body  and  Blood  ;  who,  in  the 
same  night  that  he  was  betrayed 
took  bread  ;  and  when  he  had 
given  thanks,  he  brake  it,  and 
gave  it  to  his  disciples,  saying, 
i'ake,  eat,  this  is  my  body 
which  is  given  for  you  :  do  this 
in  remembrance  of  me.  Like- 
wise after  supper  he  took  the 
Cup  ;  and,  when  he  had  given 
thanks,  he  gave  it  to  them,  say- 
ing. Drink  ye  all  of  this;  for 
this  is  my  Blood  of  the  New 
Testament,  which  is  shed  for 
you  and  for  many  for  the  remis- 
sion of  sins  :  do  this,  as  oft  as 
ye  shall  drink  it,  in  remembrance 
of  me.  Amen. 


This  prayer  brings  before  us  the  affecting  circum- 
stances in  which  this  ordinance  was  first  instituted, 
and  the  very  words  of  our  Lord  at  its  appointment. 
It  assures  us,  according  to  the  scriptures,  of  the  all- 
important  truth,  that  Christ  gave  himself  to  be  a  full, 
perfect,  and  sufficient  sacrifice,  oblation,  and  satisfac- 
tion, for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world.  A  most  en- 
couraging and  animating  truth  to  the  naturally  anx- 
ious and  desponding  heart  of  the  humbled  sinner.  Let 
us  lift  up  our  hearts  in  the  use  of  this  prayer,  to  our 
Saviour,  to  give  his  blessing  to  the  institution  which  he 
has  ordained,  using  the  following  or  similar  ejacula- 


O- 


•O 


o ■ — . — — o 

OF    THE   CHURCH.  237 

tions  at  the  intervals  which  the  things  to  be  done  by 
the  minister,  while  he  is  reading  this  prayer,  will 
afford. 

At  the  Minister  laying  Ms  hands  on,  and  hredking  the 

bread. 

May  thy  stripes,  O  Saviour !  heal  my  soul ;  and  do  thou  ever 
feed  me  with  the  bread  of  life. 

At  the  Minister's  taking  the  cup. 

Wash  me,  O  Lord  Christ!  in  thy  most  precious  blood,  and 
cleanse  me  from  all  my  sins. 

Before  receiving  the  sacred  elements. 

The  good  Lord  pardon  me,  and  every  one  that  prepareth  his 
heart  to  seek  God,  the  Lord  God  of  his  Fathers,  though  he  he 
not  cleansed  according  to  the  purification  of  the  sanctuary. 
2  Chron.  xxx.  18,  19. 

The  consecrated  elements  are  to  be  given  to  the 
people  kneeling.* 

*  There  has  been  much  said  against  this  posture,  but  it  ap- 
pears to  the  author  to  be  suitable  and  becoming.  No  posture 
being  appointed  in  the  institution,  and  no  Church  feeling  it 
convenient  to  conform  to  that  vvhich  was  probably  the  original 
posture,  lying  on  coUches,  according  to  their  custom  at  meals, 
in  that  day,  (John  xiii.  23,  25.)  each  church  is  at  liberty  to  fix 
that  which  the  heads  of  that  Church  think  decent.  If  our 
hearts  are  in  a  right  state,  they  will  be  full  of  prayer  and 
praise ;  we  may  well  then  be  in  that  posture  which  best  be- 
comes devotion.  But  in  a  matter  of  indifference,  surely  the 
Christian  may  cheerfully  adopt  the  custom  of  the  Church  with 
which  he  communicates,  or  submit  to  any  form  appointed  by 
those  in  authority  over  him  in  the  place  where  he  dw^ells.  All 
adoration  of  the  elements  is  expressly  excluded  by  the  follow- 
ing note  at  the  end  of  the  service : — 

"  WHEREAS  it  is  ordained  in  this  office  for  the  Administra- 

o o 


o- 


-o 


238 


ON    THE    COMMUNION    SERVICE 


If  there  are  many  communicants,  you  may  find  this 
a  suitable  opportunity  for  private  prayer  and  medita- 
tion. See  chapters  iv,  and  vi,  in  this  part  of  the 
Treatise. 


When  the  Minister  delivers  the 
Bread  to  any  one,  he  says. 

THE  body  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  which  was  given  for  thee, 
preserve  thy  body  and  soul  unto 
everlasting  life.  Take  and  eat 
this  in  remembrance  that  Christ 
died  for  thee,  and  feed  on  him  in 
thy  heart  by  faith  with  thanks- 
eiving. 


And  when  he  delivers  the  cup  to 
any  one,  he  says. 

THE  blood  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  which  was  shed  for  thee, 
preserve  thy  body  and  soul  unto 
everlastitig  life.  Drink  this  in 
remembrance  that  Christ's  blood 
was  shed  for  thee,  and  be  thank- 
ful. 


In  both  these  addresses  we  have  a  prayer  and  a 
direction.  The  prayer  should  lead  us  to  commit 
our  whole  selves,  body,  soul,  and  spirit,  unto  God ; 
and  the  direction  puts  us  in  mind,  in  the  very  act  of 
receiving,  of  one  great  end  of  this  ordinance,  to  feed 
on  Christ  in  our  hearts  by  faith,  with  thanksgiving. 
"When  the  Minister  says.  Take,  eat — -Drink  ye  all 
of  it — let  us  think  how  freely  God  offers  Christ  to  us, 
and  how  earnestly  he  presses  us  to  accept  of  him  as 
our  Saviour."  And  surely,  as  we  have  fresh  need  of 
pardon  every  time  that  we  communicate,  so  should  we 
afresh  seek  an  interest  in  our  Saviour's  righteousness, 

tion  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  that  the  Communicants  should  re- 
ceive the  same  kneeling;  (which  order  is  well  meant,  for  sig- 
nification of  our  humble  and  grateful  acknowledgment  of  the 
benefits  of  Christ  therein  given  to  all  worthy  Receivers,  and 
for  the  avoiding  of  such  profanation  and  disorder  in  the  Holy 
Communion,  as  might  otherwise  ensue;)  yet,  lest  the  same 
kneeling  should  by  any  persons,  either  out  of  ignorance  and  in- 
firmity, or  out  of  malice  or  obstinancy,  be  misconstrued  and 
depraved  ;  it  is  hereby  declared,  That  thereby  no  adoration  is 
intended,  or  ought  to  be  done,  either  unto  the  Sacramental 
Bread  or  Wine  there  bodily  received,  or  unto  any  corporal  pre- 
sence of  Christ's  natural  flesh  and  blood." 


o- 


0 


G- 


•O 


OF   THE    CHURCH. 


239 


and  the  washing  and  cleansing  of  his  most  precious 
blood. 

Sucli  thoughts  as  these  may  suitably  engage  our 
minds. 

At  taking  the  Bread. 

I  desire  to  remember  Jesus  Christ  dying  on  the  cross,  for  me. 
I  believe  that  he  gave  himself  for  us  an  offering  and  a  sacra- 
fice  to  God. 

Let  me  now  receive  out  of  his  fulness  all  I  need. 

I  trust  in  Jesus  alone  for  eternal  life. 

I  take  Christ  for  my  only  Saviour  and  Lord. 

I  give  myself  to  his  service. 

I  look  forward  to  his  coming  again. 

At  drinking  the  Wine. 

I  desire  to  remember  that  his  blood  was  shed  for  me. 
I  believe  that  that  blood  cleanseth  from  all  sin. 
I  mourn  for  my  many  sins  that  pierced  him. 
I  humbly  lay  claim  to  the  New  Covenant  blessings. 
I  freely  and  heartily  forgive  all  my  enemies. 
I  desire  ardently  to  love  all  the  people  of  Christ. 
All  praise  be  to  God  for  his  unspeakable  gift. 
0  when  shall  I  rise  to  partake  of  the  marriage  supper  of  the 
Lamb. 


The  Post  Communion,  or  service  immediately  after 
receiving,  begins  with  repeating  again  the  Lord's 
Prayer. 


OUR  Father,  which  art  in  hea- 
ven, hallowed  be  thy  name.  Thy 
kingdom  come.  Thy  will  be  done 
in  earth,  as  it  is  in  heaven.  Give 
us  this  day  our  daily  bread.  And 


forgive  us  our  trespasses,  as  we 
forgive  them  that  trespass  against 
us.  And  lead  us  not  into  tempt- 
ation, but  deliver  us  from  evil. 
Amen. 


This  prayer,  after  such  services  as  have  been  de- 
scribed, may  well  affect  us  with  new  feelings,  leading 
us  to  call  on  our  Heavenly  Father  with  a  peculiar 
measure  of  the  spirit  of  adoption. 


O- 


o 


©■ 


■G 


240 


ON    THE    COMMUNION    SERVICE 


One  of  the  two  following  prayers  are  then  offered  up. 


O  LORD  and  heavenly  Father, 
We  thy  huiTlble  servants  entirely 
desire  thy  fatherly  goodness 
mercifully  to  accept  this  our  sa- 
crifice of  praise  and  thanksgiv* 
ing  ;  most  humbly  beseeching 
thee  to  grant)  that  by  the  merits 
and  death  of  thy  Son  Jesus 
Christ,  and  through  faith  in  his 
blood,  we  and  all  thy  whole 
Churcli  may  obtain  remission  of 
our  sins,  and  all  other  benefits 
of  his  passion.  And  here  we 
offer  and  present  unto  thee>,  O 
Lord,  ourselves,  our  souls,  and 
bodies,  to  be  a  reasonable,  holy, 
and  lively  sacrifice  unto  thee  ; 
humbly  beseeching  thee,  that  all 
we,  who  are  partakers  of  this 
holy  communion,  may  be  fulfilled 
with  thy  grace  and  heavenly  ben^ 
ediction.  And  although  we  be 
unworthy,  through  our  manifold 
sins,  to  offer  unto  tfiee  .aiy  sacri- 
fice, yet  we  beseech  thee  to  ac- 
cept this  our  bounden  duty  and 
service  ;  not  weighing  our  merits 
but  pardoning  our  offences, 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord  ; 
by  whom,  and  with  whom,  in 
the  unity  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  all 
honour  and  glory  be  unto  tliee,  O 
Filher  Almighty,  world  without 
end.   Amen. 


Or  this, 

ALMIGHTY  and  ever-living 
God,  we  most  heartily  thank 
thee,  for  that  thou  dost  vouch- 
safe to  feed  us,  who  have  duly 
received  these  holy  mysteries, 
with  the  spiritual  food  of  the 
most  precious  Body  and  Blood 
of  thy  Son  our  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ ;  and  dost  assure  us  tliere- 
by  of  thy  favour  and  goodness 
towards  us ;  and  that  we  are 
very  members  incorporate  in  the 
mystical  body  of  thy  Son,  which 
is  the  blessed  company  of  all 
faithful  people  ;  and  are  also 
heirs  through  hope  of  thy  ever- 
lasting kingdom,  by  the  merits 
of  the  most  precious  death  and 
passion  of  thy  dear  Son.  And 
we  most  humbly  beseech  thee,  O 
heavenly  Father,  so  to  assist  us 
with  thy  erace,  that  we  may  con- 
titme  in  that  holy  fellowship,  and 
do  all  such  good  works  as  thou 
hast  prepared  for  us  to  walk  in, 
througli  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord  ; 
to  whom  with  thee  and  the  Holy 
Ghost,  be  all  honour  and  glory, 
world  without  end.    Ameti. 


These  prayers  petition  for  the  confirmation  of  our 
forgiveness,  and  of  all  other  benefits  of  Christ's  pas- 
sion,  and  ask  for  grace  to  continue  in  the  holy  fellow, 
ship  to  which  we  have  been  admitted.  They  are  ex- 
pressive of  the  feelings  of  a  mind  which  came  indeed 
with  a  load  of  guilt  and  bondage  on  the  conscience, 
tut  goes  away  pardoned,  peaceful,  and  free.  There 
is  an  opposite  danger  to  that  of  self-righteous  depend- 
ance  on  the  Sacrament,  that  of  having  too  slight 
thoughts  of  its  utility.     Milner  observes,  "  Well-dis- 


o- 


-o 


o 


-o 


OF    THE    CHURCH. 


241 


posed  persons  who  often  gain  both  spiritual  comfort 
and  strength  through  sermons,  gain  nothing  from  the 
Sacrament.  Why  is  this  ?  They  are  in  too  lazy  a 
posture  of  soul ;  they  do  not  reverently  esteem,  as  they 
should,  this  precious  means  of  grace,  as  the  channel 
in  which  the  comforts  of  salvation  may  be  expected 
richly  to  flow.  Our  Reformers  speak  differently  of 
the  importance  of  this  Institution.  From  the  expres- 
sion, '  Dost  assure  us  thereby  of  thy  favour  and  good- 
ness towards  us,  and  that  we  are  very  members  incor- 
porate in  the  mystical  body  of  thy  Son,'  it  is  evident 
that  the  blessing  of  assurance  was  in  their  idea  con- 
nected with  the  right  reception  of  this  ordinance." 
Yet  many  who  obtain  not  the  full  assurance  of  hope, 
seeking  the  Lord  in  earnest,  still  gain  some  increase 
of  faith,  hope,  and  love.  The  consecration  here  made 
of  ourselves  to  be  "  a  reasonable,  holy,  and  lively  sa- 
crifice to  God,"  comes  with  great  propriety  after  the 
memorial  of  such  mercies.  It  is  according  to  that 
exhortation  of  St.  Paul — I  beseech  you,  therefore,  hy 
the  mercies  of  God,  that  ye  present  your  bodies  a  living 
sacrifice.  The  love  of  God  in  Ciirist  Jesus,  when 
brought  home  to  the  heart  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  never 
fails  of  its  efficacy  in  influencing  a  man  to  give  him- 
self unreservedly  to  God. 

The  concluding  hymn  of  praise  is  the  following 


sublime  thanksn^iving. 

Then  shall  be  said  or  sung. 
GLOIIY  be  to  God  on  high, 
ami  in  earth  peace,  good  will 
towards  men.  We  praise  thee, 
we  bless  thee,  we  worship  thee, 
we  glorify  thee,  we  give  thanks 
to  thee,  for  thy  great  glory,  O 
Lord  God,  heavenly  King,  God 
the  Father  Almighty. 


O  Lord,  the  only  begotten  Son 
Jesus  Christ.  O  Lord  God,  Lamb 
of  God,  Son  of  the  Father,  that 
takest  away  the  sins  of  the 
world,  have  mercy  upon  us. 
Thou  that  takesl  away  the  sins 
of  the  world,  have  mercy  upon 
us.  Thou  that  takest  away  the 
sins  of  the    world    receive  our 


o- 


o 


21 


G- 


■O 


242 


ON    THE    C(JMMUNION    SERVICE 


praycx^.  Thou  that  sittest  at  the  I  only  art  the  Lonl  :  thou  only,  O 
right  hand  of  God  the  Father, ;  Christ,  with  the  Holy  Ghost,  art 
have  mercy  upon  us.  j  most  high  in  the   glory  of  God 

For  thou  only  art  holy,  thou  |  the  Father.   Amen. 

This  hymn  seems  to  unite  the  seraphic  praise  of  the 
glorified  hosts  above,  with  the  deep  abasement  of  the 
contrite  heart  on  earth.  We  here  copy  the  example 
of  our  Saviour,  who  sung  an  hymn  after  the  institution 
of  the  Lord's  Supper.  O  had  we  a  due  sense  of  our 
privileges  as  sons  of  God,  and  our  prospects  as  heirs 
of  his  glory,  with  what  rapturous  emotions,  joined  to 
what  deep  humility,  should  we  sing  this  song  ! 

The  Minister  closes  the  whole  with  this  blessing  : 


THE  peace  of  God,  which 
passeth  all  understanding,  keep 
your  hearts  and  minds  in  the 
knowledge  and  love  of  God,  and 
of    his   Son  Jesus     Christ    our 


Lord :  and  the  blessing  of  God 
Almighty  the  Father,  the  Son, 
and  the  Holy  Ghost,  be  amongst 
you  and  remain  with  you  always. 
Amen, 


This  blessing  seems  to  include  the  main  benefits  of 
both  Dispensstions  ;  that  of  Moses,  (Numb.  vi.  24-26,) 
and  that  of  the  Lamb,  (John  xiv.  27  ;  Phil.  iv.  7.)  It 
is  a  parting  prayer  that  the  benefits  which  we  have 
just  received  and  commemorated,  may  abide  in  our 
hearts  for  ever. 

Inquire  then  Christian  communicant,  whether  j'-our 
feelings  in  some  degree  correspond  with  the  holy  sen- 
timents of  this  service.  Such  an  inquiry  will  be  both 
humbling  and  profitable.  "  We  would  be  far  from 
denying  the  acceptablcness  of  many  a  real  communi- 
cant who  may  not  come  up  to  that  full  fervour  of  soul 
which  is  evidently  the  spirit  of  the  institution."  But 
by  aiming  at  the  highest  degree  of  communion  with 
our  unseen  but  ever-present  Lord  and  Saviour,  we  are 
best  promoting  our  own  edification  and  happiness. 


G 


•G 


^^,~.., „ —       -.     ._  ,  —     ■      ■       ■    ■    . ^\ 

OF    THE   CHURCH.  243 

May  divine  grace  so  prevent  and  assist  us,  that  we 
may  never  frequent  this  ordinance,  dead  to  every  spi- 
ritual sensation,  go  through  the  whole  in  a  formal 
lifeless  manner,  and  depart  as  cold  and  worldly  as 
ever ! 

And  what  shall  We  say  to  those  who  frequently,  or 
altogether,  deprive  themselves  of  the  benefits  of  this 
institution?  They  are  like  those  who  would  prefer 
dwelling  in  a  miserable  and  decaying  hovel,  when 
they  might  reside  in  a  king's  palace.  They  are  like 
those  who  had  rather  feed  on  husks  with  swine,  than 
banquet  at  the  table  of  a  loving  and  bountiful  father. 

Christians !  neglect  not  the  opportunities  afforded 
you  of  receiving  the  pledges  of  a  Father's  love.  Can 
you  too  often  remember  the  grace  of  a  dying  Saviour  ? 
Can  you,  more  frequently  than  you  desire,  receive 
the  assurance  that  God  is  reconciled  to  you :  that  his 
Spirit  dwells  in  you,  that  you  are  his  children,  and 
that  heaven  is  your  home  ?  These  are  the  blessings 
you  enjoy,  when  devoutly  partaking  of  the  Lord's 
Supper* 


o- 


-o 


CHAPTER  VI. 

ON    THE    REMEMBRANCE    OF    CHRIST    AT    THE    LORD's 
TABLE. 

We  have  already  considered,  in  the  former  part, 
the  nature  of  that  remembrance  which  is  our  duty  at 
the  table  of  the  Lord,  with  a  more  immediate  refer- 
ence to  his  death  ;  but  this  remembrance  is  so  primary 
a  part  of  our  due  receiving  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  that 
it  may  be  advantageous  here  to  consider  it  again,  de- 
votionally  and^  practically,  in  other  views. 

How  can  we  best  remember  our  Divine  Redeemer 
at  his  table  ?  Gracious  is  the  promise  which  he  has 
made  ;  the  Comforter,  which  is  the  Holy  Ghost,  whom 
the  Father  will  send  in  7mj  name,  he  shall  teach  you  all 
things,  and  bring  all  things  to  your  rememhrance,  what- 
soever I  have  said  wnto  you.  May  that  blessed  Com- 
forter assist  us  to  remember  Jesus  in  his  person  and 
offices,  for  our  souls'  comfort. 

Remember  him  first  as  Immanuel,  God  with  us. 
This  wonderful  name  includes  his  divine  glory  as 
God  ;  his  omnipotent  power  over  all  his  enemies,  and 
that  powerfully  engaged  In  behalf  of  his  people  and 
on  their  side.  With  us,  implies  what  is  elsewhere  as- 
serted,  that  he  was  in  all  things  made  like  unto  his 
brethren,  Heb.  ii.  17.  He  was  God  in  our  nature, 
conceived  and  born  of  a  virrrin,  and  lived  and  dwelt 
among  us,  bone  of  our  hone,  andjlesh  of  our  jiesh.  He 
dwells  also  by  faith  in  the  hearts  of  all  his  people : 

6 o 


0^ — — < 

ON   THE    REMEMBRANCE    OF   CHRIST,    ETC.  245 

Christ  in  us  the  hope  of  glory.  O  may  I  know  the  joy 
of  having  God  with  me,  and  of  being  in  peace  and 
union  with  the  great  God,  the  Lord  of  all,  in  Christ ; 
God^  in  Christ,  reconciling  the  world  unto  himself.,  and 
I,  through  him,  reconciled  to  God.  May  my  mind  be 
one  with  his,  and  may  I  enter  into  the  sweetness  of 
entire  resignation  of  my  own  will  to  that  of  my  Hea- 
venly Father.  May  the  rich  hope  of  having  God 
with  me  for  ever,  fill  me  with  joy  unspeakable  and  full 
of  glory. 

Remember  him  as  Jesus,  the  Saviour,  God  our 
Saviour.  It  is  the  name  ahoiie  every  name,  at  which 
every  knee  shall  bow.  The  name  is  the  same  as  the 
Hebrew  Joshua,  whose  name  originally  was  Hoshea, 
but  it  was  changed  into  Joshua,  on  his  being  exalted 
to  be  the  captain  of  the  Lord's  host,  and  thus  the 
striking  type  of  our  Lord  Christ.  Hoshea  signifies 
Saviour ;  Joshua,  Jehovah,  the  Saviour ;  hence  the 
name  of  Joshua  or  Jesus,  perfectly  corresponds  to  7m- 
manuel,  and  fulfils  the  prophecy,  they  shall  call  his 
name  Immanuel.  Jehovah,  coming  in  our  nature  to 
effect  our  salvation.  He  himself  (avrog)  shall  save  his 
people  from  their  sins,  Matt.  i.  21.  Sin  is  our  great 
enemy,  the  cause  of  our  misery,  and  of  all  God's 
wrath  ao-ainst  us.  From  sin  no  created  beinsr  can 
deliver  the  sinner.  But  help  is  laid  on  one  that  is 
mighty,  and  mighty  to  save.  He  bore  the  curse  for  us, 
and  redeemed  us  from  the  curse  of  the  law :  he  ful- 
filled the  law  as  our  head  and  representative,  and  he 
has  obtained  perfect  righteousness  for  us :  he  van- 
quished Satan  for  us,  and  will  bruise  him  under  our 
feet  shortly;  he  purifies  nis  people  to  be  a  peculiar 
people  zealous  of  good  loorks  now,  and  soon  he  will  re- 
turn as  their  complete  Deliverer  from  death,  hell,  and 

_ o 

21* 


^ 


o _ ~o 

246  ON    THE    REMEMBRANCE    OF    CHRIST 

the  grave ;  this  salvation  is  ready  now  to  he  revealed, 
and  when  Christ  who  is  our  life  shall  appear,  we  shall 
appear  with  him  in  glory,  and  his  people  with  one  voice 
shall  exclaim  in  that  day,  Lo  !  this  is  our  God,  we  have 
waited  for  him,  we  will  be  glad  and  rejoice  in  his  salva- 
tion. Then  shall  we  see  him  face  to  face,  and  ever 
be  with  him.  O  Lord,  visit  me  with  thy  salvation, 
and  satisfy  me  with  thy  early  mercy.  May  a  divine 
Saviour  be  my  exclusive  and  entire  confidence. 

May  Jesus  himself  save  me  from  all  my  sins,  and 
conquer  all  my  enemies,  and  bring  me  to  his  heavenly 
kingdom. 

Remember  him  as  the  Messiah.  The  Hebrew 
word  Messiah  and  the  Greek  word  Christ,  mean  the 
same  as  the  English  word  anointed.  It  points  out  the 
consecration  of  our  divine  Lord  to  his  office  of  our 
Saviour,  by  the  anointing  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  (Ps.  ii. 
2.  Dan.  ix.  25,  26.  Is.  Ixi.  1.  Luke  iv.  18-22.) 
The  great  end  of  the  scriptures  being  written  is  that  we 
might  believe  that  Jesus  is  the  Christ,  the  Son  of  God, 
and  that  believing  we  might  have  life  through  his  name. 

Under  the  Old  Testament  various  persons  sustain- 
ing certain  offices,  and  various  things,  were  appointed 
to  be  types  of  our  Lord  Christ  and  were  anointed,  or 
set  apart  for  their  ends  by  being  anointed.  Their  full 
and  complete  significations  meet  only  in  the  Lord 
Jesus,  who  is  emphatically  the  anointed  one. 

Jesus  is  also  the  Anointer  of  his  people,  as  well  as 
the  Anointed.  He  communicates  of  his  fulness  to 
them.  The  anointing  which  ye  have  received  of  him 
abideth  in  you,  and  ye  need  not  that  any  man  teach  you, 
but  as  the  same  anointing  ieacheth  you  of  all  things,  and 
is  truth  and  is  no  lie,  and  even  as  it  hath  taught  you  ye 
shall  abide  in  him. 
0 — { 


G C 

AT  THE  lord's  TABLE.  247 

By  anointing,  the  object  anointed,  as  the  taber- 
nacle, &c.,  was  not  only  consecrated  to  the  particular 
office  intended,  but  its  connection  with  the  Saviour, 
and  an  illustration  of  his  office  was  pointed  out ;  and 
where  a  person,  as  the  prophet,  priest,  or  king  was 
anointed,  the  need  of  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord,  to  qualify 
for  that  office  was  signified.  O  how  amply  was  my 
divine  Lord  qualified  for  his  office.  (Isaiah  Ixi.  1-3. 
How  suited  is  he  to  be  my  Saviour !  What  gifts  he 
has  received  for  me !  May  he  now  impart  to  me  of 
that  blessed  unction  which  he  received  for  sinners, 
and  which  he  gives  to  all  his  people.  Blessed  Jesus 
baptize  me  not  only  with  water,  but  with  the  Holy 
Ghost. 

Remember  him  as  the  PRorHET.  Under  this  name 
he  was  foretold  at  an  early  period  in  the  history  of  the 
Church  of  God,  The  Lord  thy  God  will  raise  up  unto 
thee  a,  prophet,  from  the  midst  of  thy  hrethren,  like  unto 
me;  unto  him  shall  ye  hearken.  Deut.  xviii.  15.  A 
prophet  is  not  only  one  who  foretells  future  events, 
but  who  interprets  and  explains  the  word  and  will  of 
God ;  making  it  plain  to  those  he  instructs.  The  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  is  pre-eminently  the  prophet ;  he  spake  as 
never  man  spake,  and  his  imrds  are  spirit  and  life.  He 
teaches  not  only  outwardly  to  the  ear,  and  intellectu- 
ally to  the  understanding,  but  also  effectually  to  the 
heart.  He  reveals  the  Father  unto  us.  (Matt.  xi.  27.) 
The  only -he gotten  Son  which  is  in  the  bosom  of  the  Fa- 
ther, he  hath  declared  him,  (John  i.  8.)  imparting  the 
Spirit  of  wisdom  and  revelation,  in  the  knowledge  of  him. 
Ephes.  i.  7.  In  this  office  his  manhood  especially 
adapts  him  to  be  a  suitable  instructor  of  sinful  men. 
Deut.  xviii.  15-19.  He  was  to  be  like  Moses,  a  man, 
a  leader  of  the  people,  a  mediator,  a  deliverer  from 

o — o 


o- 


.0 


248 


ON    THE    REMEMBRANCE    OF    CHRIST 


bondage,  a  destroyer  of  their  enemies,  and  a  conducter 
through  the  wilderness,  providing  for  all  their  wants, 
and  giving  them  another  covenant.  O  Jesus  be  my 
Teacher,  Mediator,  and  Conducter,  bring  me  speedily 
from  bondage,  conduct  me  safely  through  the  wilder- 
ness, and  provide  for  all  my  wants  till  I  reach  my 
heavenly  home.  May  I  be  emptied  "  more  and  more 
of  myself,  of  my  carnal  will,  and  of  all  unsanctified 
knowledge,  and  be  filled  with  thee  and  with  that  wis- 
dom which  leads  to  the  contemplation  of  God,  and  to 
the  everlasting  enjoyment  of  him ;  instruct  me  not  only 
by  lessons  of  wisdom,  but  also  by  lessons  of  love,  that 
will  make  my  heart  burn  within  me,  and  guide  me  by 
thy  counsel,  till  thou  hast  brought  me  to  thy  glory," 

Remember  him  as  the  high  priest.  The  Priest  is 
ordained  for  ?neii  in  things  pertaining  to  God,  that  he 
may  offer  both  gifts  and  sacrifices  for  sins,  icho  can  have 
compassion  on  the  ignorant,  and  &n  the?n  that  are  out  of 
the  ivay.  Such  an  High  Priest  have  we,  one  touched 
with  the  feeling  of  our  infirmities,  in  all  'points  teniyted 
like  as  we  are,  yet  without  sin.  Of  him  it  could  be 
said,  once  in  tlie  end  of  the  %oorld  hath  he  appeared  to  put 
away  sin  ly  the  sacrifice  of  himself — And  now  he  is 
gone  into  heaven  itself  to  appear  in  the  presence  of  God 
for  us — and,  to  them  that  look  for  him,  shall  he  appear 
the  second  time  without  sin  unto  salvation.. 

The  realizing  of  this  office  is  full  of  unspeakable 
comfort  to  the  burdened  sinner.  Our  Lord  has  an  un- 
changeahle  Priest-hood ;  wherefore  he  is  able  also  to  ''■ 
save  them  to  the  uttermost  that  come  unto  God  by  him, 
seeing  he  ever  liveth  to  make  intercession  for  them.  (Heb. 
vii.  24,  25.)  Gk)d,  our  Father,  has,  with  an  oath,  con- 
secrated him  to  this  office  (verse  21)  that  we  might 
have  the  stronger  consolation.     How  secure  must  be 


G- 


o- 


AT    THE    LORD  S    TABLE. 


249 


the  salvation  of  those  who  fly /or  refuge  to  Jay  hold  upon 
this  hope.  Who  is  he  that  condemneth  ?  Shall  Christ 
that  died,  yea  rather  that  is  risen  again,  who  is  even  at  the 
right  hand  of  God,  who  also  maketh  intercession  for  us? 
To  him  then  let  me  look  and  come  day  by  day  ;  and, 
through  him,  though  so  sinful,  have  free  access  to  the 
Most  High  and  most  holy  God,  as  one  having  recon- 
ciled me  to  himself  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  who  no  longer 
imputes  my  transgressions  to  me. 

Remember  him  as  king.  This  office  has  not  been 
so  fully  developed,  as  it  will  be  when  he  returns. 
Then  the  royal  proclamations.  The  kingdoms  of  this 
world  are  become  the  kingdoms  of  our  Lord  and  his 
Christ;  and  he  shall  reign  for  ever  and  ever  ;  Alleluia/ 
for  the  Lord  God  omnipotent  reigncth,  (Rev.  xi.  15  ; 
xix.  6,)  go  forth,  and  are  fully  realized  ;  and  then  he 
shall  sit  upon  the  throne  of  his  glory,  (Matt.  xix.  28  ; 
XXV.  31.)  Yet  even  now,  seated  at  his  Father's  right 
hand,  (Psalm  ex.  1.)  On  his  Father'' s  throne  (Rev.  iii. 
21,)  He  is  exalted  as  a  Prince  and  Saviour,  (Acts  v* 
31,)  and  All  power  in  heaven  and  earth  is  given  to  him, 
Matt,  xxviii.  19. 

This  glorious  Title  includes  his  Godhead — for  no 
one  is  King  of  Kings  and  Lord  of  Lords,  and  has  the 
glorious  power  of  this  our  King,  but  he  who  is  God. 
Hence  the  Psalmist  addresses  him,  Thy  throne,  O  God, 
is  for  ever  and  ever,  the  sceptre  of  thy  kingdom  is  a  right 
sceptre — so  his  kingdom  is  called  the  kingdom  of  the 
Most  High,  Dan.  vii.  27. 

As  our  King,  he  will  dethrone  and  destroy  Satan, 
the  prince  of  this  world,  and  make  his  feeble  saints 
victorious  over  the  principalities,  and  powers,  and  the 
rulers  of  the  darkness  of  this  world,  and  spiritual 
wickedness  in  high  places,  (Ephes.  vi.  12 ;  Rom.  viii« 

6—— 


O 


0 — — -■-  -  '-  ~  -- — — ^ 0 

250  ON    THE    REMEMBRANCE    OF    CHRIST 

37-39.)  He  will  completely  overthrow,  and  put  un- 
der his  feet,  all  his  and  our  enemies,  (1  Cor.  xv.  24- 
28.)  For  the  full  accomplishment  of  this  we  wait  for 
his  return.  He  sits  at  the  right  hand  of  his  Father 
till  the  time  arrives  for  God  making  his  enemies  his 
footstool.  Then  he  comes  again  in  his  glory,  and 
reigns  till  he  hath  put  all  enemies  under  his  feet. 

O  my  God  and  my  King,  I  yield  to  the  sceptre  of 
thy  love  ;  make  me  willing  in  this  day  of  thy  grace 
and  power ;  subdue  all  my  spiritual  foes,  my  enmity, 
my  unbelief,  my  self-will,  my  indifference,  and  pride, 
and  love  of  the  world  ;  and  all  those  corruptions  of 
my  fallen  nature,  which  are  perpetually  defiling  my 
soul.  O  make  me  meet  by  thine  own  Spirit,  for  that 
everlasting  kingdom  in  which  thy  saints  shall  share 
thy  bliss  and  glory  through  eternity ! 

Remember  him  as  the  Redeemer.  The  "  Goel,"  or 
kinsman  Redeemer,  being  the  nearest  of  kin,  was  to 
exert  himself  in  favour  of  his  destitute  kinsman.  He 
had  a  right  to  redeem  his  lost  inheritance,  and  was 
permitted  to  avenge  the  death  of  his  relation  by  kill- 
ing  the  slayer  if  found  out  of  the  city  of  refuge.  In 
these  things  he  was  a  type  of  Christ,  (Job  xix.  25 ; 
Psalm  xix.  15,  cvii.  2,  cxix.  154 ;  Isa.  xxxv.  9,  xliii. 
1,  li.  10,  Hi.  3,  lix.  20,  Ixiii.  4 ;  Hosea  xiii.  14.) 
Jesus  assumed  our  nature,  became  our  kinsman,  has 
at  the  costly  price  of  his  own  blood,  recovered  our 
souls,  will  finally  restore  our  lost  inheritance,  and 
avenge  all  his  people  by  the  destruction  of  Satan,  that 
great  murderer,  and  all  his  followers  who  have  not 
been  warned  by  his  word,  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to 
come,  and  take  shelter  now  in  the  city  of  refuge. 

O  what  a  full  and  complete  redemption  is  that  which 
our  kinsman  Redeemer,  Jesus,  has  provided  for  me ! 

o — — — o 


o— < 

AT  THE  lord's  TABLE.  251 

We  have  redemption  through  his  blood,  the  forgiveness 
of  sins  according  to  the  riches  of  his  grace  ;  in  whom  also 
we  have  iihtained  an  inheritance,  the  pledge  and  fore- 
taste of  which  is,  that  we  are  now  sealed  with  that 
Holy  Spirit  of  promise  which  is  the  earnest  of  our  inher- 
itance, until  the  redemption  of  the  purchased  possession. 
How  should  we  long  and  thirst  for  that  day,  when  our 
Redeemer  shall  come  and  raise  us  from  our  present 
state  of  bondage  and  corruption  to  partake  of  his  like- 
ness, and  to  reign  in  his  kingdom.  He  has  obtained 
eternal  redemption  fer  us.  Heb.  ix.  12.  We  are  wait- 
ing for  its  full  completion,  for  the  adoption,  to  wit  the 
redemption  of  our  body  ;  and  then  with  what  joy  shall 
we  sing  through  eternity,  the  song.  Thou  wast  slain, 
and  hast  redeemed  us  to  God  by  thy  blood,  out  of  every 
kindred,  and  tongue,  and  people,  and  nation  ;  and  hast 
made  us  unto  our  God  kings  and  priests,  and  we  shall 
reign  on  the  earth.     Rev.  v.  2,  10.* 

See,  Christian  reader,  how  much  there  is  of  the 
Gospel  in  the  names  of  our  Redeemer.  Sweet  it  is 
to  fulfil  his  dying  charge — -This  do  in  remembrance 
of  me. 

Such  are  those  blessed  recollections  of  a  Saviour 
which  become  us  at  his  table.  O  how  can  he  but  be 
under  the  judgment  of  barrenness,  who  neglects  this 
ordinance.  Surely  if  they  that  be  planted  in  the  house 
the  Lord  shall  flourish  in  the  courts  of  our  God,  bring 
forth  fruits  in  old  age,  and  be  fat  and  flourishing, 
leanness  must  be  the  portion  of  those  who  disregard 
or  omit  this  gracious  and  divine  appointment. 


*  Those  who  wish  for  farther  help  for  meditation  on  the 
names  and  offices  of  Christ,  will  find  it  in  Serle's  Horae  Soli- 
tariae,  vol.  i.  ;  and  Goode's  Essays  on  the  Names  of  Christ. 

o ^ — o 


o o 


CHAPTER  VII. 

MEDITATIONS    DURING    THE    COMMUNION. 

We  have  given  in  a  former  chapter  directions  for 
the  employment  of  the  mind  in  the  interval  while 
others  are  partaking  of  the  communion.  We  will 
now  add  a  few  meditations  that  may  occasionally 
assist  the  communicant  at  that  time. 

Proverbs  iv.  26.     Ponder  the  path  of  thy  feet. 

If  ever  it  be  needful  to  ponder  my  goings,  surely  it 
is  so  on  this  occasion.  Let  me  inquire  then,  with 
what  views  am  I  coming  to  this  holy  table. 

I  come,  I  trust,  to  commemorate  the  death  of  Christ ; 
to  call  to  remembrance  that  sacrifice  of  himself  which 
he  once  made  upon  the  cross ;  to  profess  my  faith 
in  Christ  crucified  ;  to  declare  before  God  and  man 
that  I  look  to  him  as  my  only  Saviour  and  Redeemer, 
who  has  made  a  complete  atonement  for  my  sins,  and 
has  reconciled  my  God  to  me,  and  me  to  my  God.  I 
come  to  receive  the  tokens  of  reconciliation,  and  the 
pledges  of  pardon  and  love. 

Looking  to  my  Saviour,  I  come  that  I  may  receive 
from  him  all  tliat  is  wanting  in  my  wretched  self. 
He  is  full  of  grace  and  truth.  He  has  called  me  to  do 
this  in  remembrance  of  him ;  and  I  come  hoping  for 
his  blessing  on  what  he  himself  has  appointed. 

Looking  at  myself  I  come  as  an  unwortliy,  sinful, 
:  and  dreadfully  guilty  creature,  to  the  fountain  opened 
O  O 


> . . 0 

MEDITATIONS    DURING   THE    COMMUNION.  253 

for  sin  and  uncleanness  :  not  because  I  am  worthy,  but 
because  my  God  is  merciful  to  returning  sinners. 

Looking  at  f/ie  society  which  I  join,  the  select  disci- 
ples of  Christ,  I  desire  to  come  feeling  that  I  am  the 
unworthiest  and  the  least  of  all,  and  to  acknowledge 
with  them  our  common  hope  in  one  Lord,  and  to  par- 
take of  their  privileges,  and  enjoy  in  and  with  them 
the  communion  of  saints. 

O  my  Saviour,  preserve  me  from  hypocrisy,  for- 
mality, and  self-righteousness ;  and  let  me  never  by 
my  conduct  betray  thee,  while  I  am  professing  to 
embrace  thee. 

Luke  xxii.  19.      This  do,  in  remembrance  of  me. 

"  It  is  but  too  apparent,  blessed  Lord,  how  apt  we 
are  to  forget  thy  great  love  to  us,  and  thy  bitter  suffer- 
ings for  us.  Our  continual  transgressions  publish  it, 
and  our  present  stupidity  and  indevotion  do  declare  it. 
Praised  therefore  be  thy  goodness  for  these  lively 
emblems  of  thy  most  meritorious  cross  and  passion. 
O  that  Christ  crucified  may  be  now  so  evidently  set 
forth  among  us,  as  to  imprint  the  characters  of  his 
love  so  deep  upon  our  hearts,  that  neither  time  nor 
temptation  can  obliterate  them.  Behold,  we  do  here 
most  affectionately  call  to  mind  the  humility  of  thine 
incarnation,  the  merit  of  thy  death,  the  power  of  thy 
resurrection,  and  the  glories  of  thine  ascension.  Thus, 
by  thine  own  appointment,  gracious  Lord,  we  do 
show  our  thankfulness  for  thy  passion,  our  faith  in 
thy  resurrection,  and  our  hope  of  thy  second  coming. 
We  will  commemorate  thy  death,  pleading  before 
God  that  by  thy  all-sufficient  sacrifice,  the  just  anger 
of  the  Almighty  against  us  was  pacified,  testifying 
before  the  world,  our  hope  in  a  crucified  Saviour,  and 

G O 

22 


) 0 

254  MEDITATIONS 

renewing  our  own  recollections  of  thy  inexpressible 
love.  O  that  we  may  so  do  this,  that  neither  we  nor 
others  shall  ever  become  unmindful  of  thee,  and  the 
impressions  may  so  remain  in  our  minds,  that  our 
lives  may  witness  we  never  forget  thee."* 

2  Tim.  ii.  8.    Rememher  that  Jesus  Christ,  of  the  seed 
of  David,  was  raised  from  the  dead. 

May  I  remember  thy  death  and  resurrection,  O 
Jesus,  believingly,  penitently,  and  thankfully.  Be- 
Uevingly,—^hr  "  the  remembrance  of  Christ's  death, 
and  faith  in  it,  are  one  and  the  same  thing  ;  what  else 
is  faith,  but  a  review  and  reflection  of  our  thoughts 
upon  Christ  ?  a  multiplied  and  reiterated  assent  unto 
the  benefits  of  him  crucified?  And  what  is  remem- 
brance but  the  returning  back  unto  the  same  object. 
The  poor  soul  that  desires  to  know  nothing  but  him, 
that  accounts  all  things  else  but  dung  in  comparison 
of  him,  that  endeavours  to  be  made  conformable  unto 
him  in  the  communion  and  fellowship  of  his  sufferings, 
that  can  in  Christ's  wounds  see  his  safety,  in  Christ's 
stripes  see  his  medicine,  in  Christ's  anguish  his  peace, 
in  Christ's  cross  his  triumph,  does  truly  know,"  and 
remember  him.  Lord,  give  me  this  experimental,  be- 
lieving remembrance  of  thyself.  Penilently^^^'' Con- 
sider, O  my  soul,  that  it  was  thy  sins  which  were  the 
associates  with  Judas,  and  Pilate,  and  the  Jews,  to 
crucify  him.  It  was  thy  hypocrisy  which  was  the 
kiss  that  betrayed  him,  thy  covetousness  the  thorns  that 
crowned  him,  thy  oppression  and  cruelty  the  nails  and 
spears  that  pierced  him,  thy  idolatry  and  superstition 
the  knee  that  mocked  him,  thy  contempt  of  religion  the 


*  Comber. 
G— O 


0 o 

DURING   THE    COMMUNION.  255 

spittle  that  defiled  him,  thy  anger  and  bitterness  the 
gall  that  distasted  him,  thy  crimson  and  redoubled 
sins  the  purple  that  dishonoured  him :  in  a  word,  thou 
wert  the  Jew  that  killed  him."  Thankfully. — O  what 
inestimable  benefits  we  owe  to  this  death — -deliverance 
from  sin  and  Satan,  accursed  fiends  and  the  bitter 
pains  of  endless  woe  ;  restoration  to  pardon,  peace, 
holiness,  communion  with  God,  the  Society  of  the 
blessed,  and  the  joy  of  heaven  through  eternity. 
Thanks  he  unto  God  for  his  unspeakable  gft* 

1  Cor.  xi.  24.   This  is  my  iody  lohich  is  hrokenfor  you. 

"  As  soon  as  I  hear  these  most  comfortable  and 
heavenly  words  spoken  and  pronounced  by  the  mouth 
of  the  minister,  "  This  is  my  body  which  is  given  for 
you,"  when  I  hear,  I  say,  this  heavenly  harmony  of 
God's  infallible  promises;  I  look  not  upon,  neither  do 
I  behold,  bread  and  wine ;  for  I  take  and  believe  the 
words  simply  and  plainly,  even  as  Christ  spake  them. 
For,  hearing  these  words,  my  senses  are  excluded ; 
faith  wholly  takes  place,  and  not  flesh,  nor  the  carnal 
imagination  of  gross  eating  after  the  manner  of  our 
bodily  food,  which  profits  nothing  as  Christ  witnesses. 
But  with  a  sorrowful  and  wounded  conscience,  a 
hungry  and  a  thirsty  soul,  a  pure  and  faithful  mind,  do 
I  fully  embrace,  behold,  and  feed,  and  look  upon  that 
most  glorious  body  of  Christ  in  heaven,  at  the  right 
hand  of  God  the  Father,  very  God  and  very  man ; 
which  was  crucified  and  slain,  and  his  blood  shed  for 
our  sins,  there  now  making  intercession,  offering  and 
giving  his  holy  body  for  me,  for  my  body,  for  my  ran- 
som, for  my  full  price  and  satisfaction ;  who  is  my 

*  Altered  from  Bishop  Reynolds. 

o o 


0 , ( 

256  MEDITATIONS 

Christ  and  all  that  ever  he  has.  And  by  this  spiritual 
and  faithful  eating  of  this  lively  and  heavenly  bread, 
I  feel  the  most  sweet  sap  and  taste  of  the  fruits,  and 
benefits,  and  unspeakable  joys  of  Christ's  death  and 
passion,  and  fully  and  inwardly  digest  them.  For 
my  mind  is  quieted  from  all  worldly  adversity,  tur- 
moilings,  and  troubles ;  my  conscience  is  pacified 
from  sin,  death,  hell,  and  damnation  ;  my  soul  is  full, 
and  has  even  enough,  and  will  no  more,  for  all  things 
are  but  loss,  vile,  dung  and  dross,  vain  vanity,  for  the 
excellent  knowledge  sake  of  Christ  Jesus  my  Lord."* 

1  Peter  v.  1.   The  sufferings  of  Christ. 

"  O  my  Saviour,  and  my  God,  I  desire  to  call  to 
mind  every  part  of  thy  bitter  passion.  I  would  begin 
by  recollecting  thy  lying  prostrate  on  the  earth  in  a 
cold  night,  and  thy  soul's  being  exceeding  sorrow- 
ful, even  unto  death,  and  thy  grievous  agony,  in  which 
thou  didst  sweat  drops  of  blood. 

"  Thrice  did  my  Redeemer  lift  Up  strong  cries  to 
his  Father,  to  remove  that  bitter  cup,  if  it  had  been 
his  will,  and  it  had  been  possible  for  his  justice  other- 
wise to  be  satisfied :  and  then  firmly  did  he  resolve  to 
go  through  that  great  work  for  our  sakes.  He  meekly 
resigned  himself  to  his  Father's  will,  and  readily  con- 
curred with  his  wonderful  love  to  us,  in  designing  to 
perfect  our  redemption.  He  was  betrayed  by  his  own 
disciple,  and  suffered  that  traitor  who  betrayed  him,  to 
kiss  his  blessed  lips.  He  was  apprehended,  rudely 
bound,  and  hurried  away  as  a  malefactor,  and  for- 
saken by  all,  not  one  of  his  disciples  daring  to  own  or 
stand  by  him. 

*  From  R.  Samuel's  Confession.     He  was  martyred  in  1555. 

o — — o 


p o 

DURING    THE    COMMUNION.  257 

"  Again,  I  would  remember  his  being  insulted  over, 
and  treated  as  the  meanest  slave,  without  respect  or 
pity,  and  carried  to  and  fro,  from  magistrate  to  magis- 
trate, from  tribunal  to  tribunal,  and  every  where 
falsely  accused.  He  was  buffetted  and  spit  upon, 
mocked  and  reviled.  He  was  crowned  with  thorns, 
rudely  pressed  down  on  his  sacred  head,  and  entering 
into  his  temples.  He  was  arrayed  in  a  mock  habit, 
and  a  reed  put  into  his  hand  instead  of  a  sceptre.  He 
was  sentenced  to  death  as  a  criminal,  and  condemned 
to  the  vilest,  most  painful,  and  reproachful  kind  of 
death.  He  was  scourged  by  merciless  hands ;  the 
plowers  plowing  on  his  back,  and  making  long  furrows. 

"  I  would  farther  contemplate  his  being  loaded  with 
a  heavy  cross,  stripped  of  his  clothes,  and  fastened  to 
the  wood  with  nails  stuck  through  his  hands  and  feet, 
the  most  tender  and  nervous  parts,  so  that  the  iron  en- 
tered into  his  very  soul.  Thus  he  was  crucified  in  the 
midst,  between  two  malefactors,  as  if  the  chief  crimi- 
nal. He  was  then  reared  up  on  the  cross,  and  the 
weight  of  his  body  hung  on  four  wounds.  He  was 
there  suspended,  and  exposed  naked  to  the  view  of  the 
world,  bearing  the  shame,  as  well  as  the  torment  of 
my  sin.  The  precious  blood  issued  out  of  his  wounds, 
and  formed  a  laver  for  my  sins,  and  those  of  the  whole 
world.  The  extremity  of  his  pain  occasioned  a  fever- 
ish  heat  of  the  whole  body,  and  his  tongue  cleaved  to 
the  roof  of  his  mouth.  He  had  vinegar  given  to  him 
when  he  was  thirsty  ;  his  soul,  in  the  mean  time,  more 
vehemently  thirsting  after  our  salvation.  He  refused 
the  wine  and  myrrh,  as  if  he  would  feel  all  the  pain 
of  his  crucifixion  for  us,  in  its  greatest  sharpness,  with- 
out  the  least  rnitigation. 

"  I  would  call  to  mind  also  the  tender  regard  which 


G- 


22* 


G C 

258  MEDITATIONS 

thou  hadst,  O  my  Saviour,  in  the  midst  of  thy  violent 
pains,  for  thy  holy  mother  and  beloved  disciple  ;  the 
sword  pierced  through  her  soul,  and  deep  sorrow 
wounded  his  spirit,  and  extreme  anguish  overwhelmed 
them  both,  to  behold  the  suffering  Redeemer ;  and  in 
the  midst  of  thy  sorrows  thou  thoughtest  of  them. 
What  gracious  comforts  also  thou  vouchsafed  the  peni- 
tent thief  in  the  midst  of  thy  own  distress. 

"  O  how  great  was  the  inexpressible  anguish  of  our 
Saviour's  soul  in  beholding  the  wrath  of  his  Father  so 
hotly  flaming  against  us  for  those  sins  of  ours,  which 
he  did  bear  in  his  own  body  on  the  tree,  and  that,  too, 
under  so  great  weakness  of  body,  that  both  made  him 
cry  out.  My  God,  my  God,  why  hast  thou  forsaken  me  ! 
He  gave  up  the  Ghost,  when  he  might  have  brought 
down  himself  from  the  cross,  and  no  man  could  take 
away  his  life  from  him,  that  the  work  of  our  redemp- 
tion might  be  finished  by  him.  His  blessed  side  was 
pierced  with  a  spear,  entering  into  his  heart,  and  let- 
ting out  the  last  remains  of  his  blood,  that  he  might 
give  full  proof  to  the  world  of  his  being  truly  dead. 
His  soul  was  separated  from  the  body,  and  passed  into 
the  state  of  the  dead  and  of  perfect  separation,  sancti- 
fying that  middle  state  to  his  servants  for  their  souls 
to  rest  in  till  the  resurrection. 

"  And  by  all  these  several  sorts  and  degrees  of  thy 
suffering,  by  all  this  bitter  pain,  and  sorrow,  and 
shame,  and  agony,  and  anguish,  which  thou  didst  en- 
dure in  thy  body  and  in  thy  soul,  for  miserable  men, 
and  for  me  a  miserable  sinner,  I  now  entreat  thee  to 
have  mercy  upon  me,  and  forgive  me ;  to  save  me, 
and  bless  me. 

"  Since,  then,  O  my  Saviour,  thou  commandest  me 
I  to  commemorate  these  thy  sorrows,  and  to  do  this  in 

<i) —6 


G O 

DURING   THE    COMMUNION.  259 

remembrance  of  thee  ;  I  eat  of  this  bread,  and  drink 
of  this  cup,  in  remembrance  that  I  have  wounded,  and 
grieved,  and  bruised  thee  ;  in  remembrance  that  I  have 
made  thee  behold  the  wrath  of  thy  Father,  and  sepa- 
rated thy  precious  blood  from  thy  body.  But  at  the 
same  time,  the  thoughts  of  thy  wonderful  love,  in  the 
midst  of  thy  pains  and  sorrows,  must  yield  my  soul 
unspeakable  delight.  Wherefore,  while  I  am  grieved 
with  thy  grief,  I  will  feast  myself  in  the  pleasures 
and  triumphs  of  thy  love.  I  will  partake  of  thy  tor- 
ments, and  also  of  thy  joys,  which  thy  love  did  yield 
in  the  midst  of  thy  agonies."* 

Luke  xxii.  44.  And  being  in  an  agony  he  prayed  more 
earnestly  :  and  his  sweat  was  as  it  were  great  drops 
of  blood  falling  down  to  the  ground. 

"  See,  O  my  soul,  how  thy  sin  oppresses  the  Son  of 
God  !  See  how  great  the  horror  of  it  is,  that  it  forced 
him  into  agonies,  and  these  agonies  vent  themselves  in 
a  bloody  sweat  ?  He  saw  the  wrath  of  God,  that  tre- 
mendous tempest,  ready  to  burst  on  thee.  He  saw 
the  hell  thou  hadst  deserved,  and  the  torments  thou 
hadst  merited.  He  knew  the  sinfulness  of  thy  sins  in 
their  whole  extent,  and  what  affronts  they  have  offered 
to  the  great  Majesty  of  Heaven.  Sensible  of  the  in- 
finite purity  of  God,  he  knew  the  heinousness  of  thy 
transgressions.  He  saw  the  everlasting  furnace,  the 
burning  lake  that  was  to  be  thy  recompense.  He 
stood  in  the  gap,  exposed  to  that  divine  wrath  which 
thou  hast  merited.  He  became  a  covert  from  the 
tempest,  enduring  the  storm  for  thee,  and  bearing  thy 
sins.     O  how  dreadful  must  have  been  that  agony, 

*  Altered  from  a  meditation  of  Bonnell's. 

o o 


G o 

260  MEDITATIONS 

from  which  his  body  breaks  forth  into  a  strange  kind 
of  sweat !  O  my  soul,  didst  thou  ever  consider  what 
thy  sins  cost  thy  Redeemer !  Now  behold  his  agony  ! 
Now  witness  this  dreadful  conflict  for  thee,  and  learn 
ever  hereafter  to  loathe  thyself,  and  to  loathe  all 
sin  ! "  * 

Isaiah  liii.  5.  He  was  wounded  for  our  transgresssions. 

O  my  Redeemer,  kind,  unspeakably  kind,  to  poor 
sinners  vvert  thou  in  all  thy  life,  thy  sufferings,  and 
thy  death.  .  I  would  ever  contemplate  the  mysteries 
of  thy  cross,  as  satisfying  divine  justice,  expiating  my 
sins,  and  displaying  the  wonders  of  divine  love.  O 
the  love  and  the  wisdom  of  God,  which  none  of  the 
princes  of  this  world  knew :  for  had  they  known  it,  they 
ivould  not  have  crucified  the  Lord  of  glory.  They  de- 
nied the  Holy  One  and  the  Just,  and  desired  a  murderer 
to  be  granted  unto  them,  and  killed  the  Prince  of  Life. 
In  every  wound  would  I  See  another  token  and  proof 
of  thy  tenderness  and  grace.  "  Let  thy  wounds  then 
prove  the  most  powerful  remedies  to  rid  me  of  my 
corruptions !  When  any  impure  thoughts  rise  in  me, 
let  thinking  of  thy  wounds  crush  them  ;  when  slug- 
gishness in  religion  assaults  me,  let  thy  wounds  and 
the  remembrance  of  them  make  me  vigilant  in  thy 
service  ;  and  when  in  the  holy  sacrament  I  think  of 
thy  wounds,  let  all  my  vain  imaginations  expire." 

Let  me  then  ever  remember  Christ.  "  He  did  not 
forget  us.  He  thought  of  us  in  his  own  extremity. 
At  his  death  he  regarded  us  more  than  he  did  himself 
He  put  up  many  a  petition  for  us,  but  ^ew  for  himself 
In  the  garden,  on  the  cross,  and  in  the  grave,  his  lost 

*  Horneck. 

0 p 


G- 


-O 


DURING    THE    COMMUNION. 


261 


sheep  were  still  in  his  mind.  He  thought  of  them 
both  day  and  night."  And  from  the  height  of  his 
glory,  amid  the  worship  of  the  heavenly  world,  the 
Saviour  still  regards  his  people  on  earth.  "  Unworthy 
as  they  are,  he  loves  them  ;  mean  as  they  are,  he  is 
not  ashamed  to  wear  their  form,  and  call  them  brethren. 
He  forgets  the  songs  of  angels,  to  listen  to  their  sighs 
and  prayers.  It  is  his  delight  to  minister  to  their 
wants,  to  protect  them  in  their  dangers,  and  to  comfort 
them  in  their  sorrows."*  O  may  I  never  forget  his 
love  ! 

Heb.  ii.  9.  We  see  Jestis,  who  was  made  a  little  lower 
than  the  angels,  for  the  svffering  of  death,  crowned 
with  glory  and  honour. 

Heavenly  Father !  grant  that  thy  Holy  Spirit  may 
bring  to  my  remembrance  all  that  which  Christ  did 
for  me,  whenever  I  go  to  his  table ;  so  that  by  the  eye 
of  faith,  I  too  may  see  the  suffering  and  glorified  Re- 
deemer. Blessed  Redeemer !  I  desire  to  call  to  mind 
thy  glory  before  the  world  was,  thy  love  in  undertaking 
the  work  of  our  redemption,  thy  birth  of  a  lowly  vir- 
gin, thy  life  of  sorrow,  thy  shame  and  contempt,  thy 
rejection  by  man,  thy  bloody  sweat  and  agony,  thy 
crown  of  thorns,  thy  stripes,  the  nails  in  thy  hands 
and  thy  feet,  thy  cross  and  all  thy  passion,  thy  pain- 
ful death,  and  thy  burial  in  the  tomb,  and  the  sin  of 
man  as  the  cause  of  these  thy  humiliations  and  suffer- 
ings. O  how  unmeasurable  is  thy  love !  It  is  strong 
as  death — many  waters  cannot  quench  it.  It  was  not 
the  nails  that  fastened  thee  to  the  cross,  but  something 
more  firm  and  binding ;  thy  love  fixed  thee  and  kept 


*  See  Bradley's  Sermons. 


o- 


-o 


, ^ _ ■  0 

262  MEDITATIONS 

thee  there,  till  thou  gavest  up  the  ghost;  otherwise 
every  fetter  that  man  could  have  devised  would  have 
been  utterly  unavailing.  I  call  to  mind  yet  farther, 
thy  glorious  resurrection  and  ascension,  thy  leading 
captivity  captive  and  receiving  gifts  for  men,  thy  sit- 
ting at  the  right  hand  of  the  Father,  thy  meditation, 
the  future  judgment,  and  the  glory  yet  to  come  ;  and 
recalling  these  things  to  mind,  may  I  afresh  learn  to 
hate  and  flee  from  every  sin,  to  trust  in  thee,  and  pre- 
pare to  meet  thee.  Thus  may  my  hope  of  being  with 
thee  for  ever,  be  enlivened  and  established,  and  thus 
may  my  affections  towards  thee  and  man  be  afresh 
enkindled  and  enlarged. 

John   i.   29»    Behold  the  Lamb  of  God  which   tdketh 
away  the  sin  of  the  world. 

Contemplate,  O  my  soul,  thy  Saviour  as  a  Lamb 
slain  for  thee.  "  Rightly  is  he  called  a  Lamb,  whose 
innocence  was  spotless,  and  his  meekness  and  pa- 
tience invincible;  and  the  Lamb  of  God,  for  his 
superior  excellence  and  dignity,  and  his  being  chosen 
to  this  office  by  the  Father.  He  was  led  as  a.  lamh  to 
the  slaughter;  and  as  a  sheep  hefore  his  shearers  is 
dumb,  so  he  opened  not  his  mouth :  neither  guile  nor 
complaint  was  found  in  him.  Dost  thou  then  profess 
thyself  a  follower  of  the  Lamb,  and  glory  in  the  title  ? 
Learn  then  of  him  to  be  harmless  and  blameless, 
meek  and  lowly  in  heart,  alike  averse  from  doing  and 
deserving  evil,  and  ready  to  suffer  it. 

"  But  how  does  the  Lamb  of  God  take  away  sin  ? 
By  bearing  it  in  his  own  body  on  the  tree :  the  chastise- 
ment of  our  peace  was  upon  him.  O  heavy  load  which 
sunk  the  Son  of  God  in  his  human  body  to  the  grave  ; 
and  had  it  lain  unremoved,  would  have  sunk  the 
6 — O 


0 — — c 

DURING    THE    COMMUNION.  263 

whole  world  in  ruins !  Worthy  is  the  Lamh  that  was 
slain,  to  receive  poiver,  and  riches,  and  wisdom,  and 
strength,  and  honour,  and  glory,  and  blessing."* 

1  Peter  ii.  21.    Christ  also  suffered  for  us. 

"  The  pains  of  his  wounds  were  his,  but  ours  is  the 
benefit ;  the  sufferings  of  his  death  were  his,  but  ours 
is  the  mercy ;  the  stripes  on  his  back  were  his,  but 
the  balm  that  issued  from  them  is  ours  ;  the  thorns  on 
his  head  were  his,  but  the  crown  is  ours ;  the  holes  in 
his  hands  and  side  were  his,  but  the  blood  that  ran 
out  was  ours ;  in  a  word,  the  price  was  his,  but  the 
purchase  ours.  The  corn  is  not  grinded,  nor  baked, 
nor  broken  for  itself;  the  grape  is  not  bruised,  nor 
pressed  for  itself.  These  actions  rather  destroy  the 
nature  of  the  elements  than  perfect  them ;  but  all 
these  violations  that  they  suffer  are  for  the  benefit  of 
man.  No  marvel  then  if  the  angels  themselves  stoop 
and  gaze  upon  so  deep  a  mystery,  in  which  it  is  im- 
possible to  decide  whether  is  greater  the  wonder  or  the 
mercy. f 

Luke  xxiii.  42.    And  he  said  unto  Jesus,  Lord,  remcm- 
her  me  ivhen  thou  comest  into  thy  kingdom. 

O  suffering  Saviour !  like  the  dying  thief  would  I 
look  to  thee  with  this  petition.  Thou  that  saved  him, 
and  declared  to  him.  This  day  shalt  thou  he  miih  me  in 
Paradise :  O  do  thou  make  me  also  an  illustrious 
trophy  of  thy  mighty  grace.  I  would  look  to  thy 
wounds  for  my  pardon,  to  thy  merits  alone  for  my 
justification.  I  acknowledge,  I  feel  that  I  deserve 
nothing ;  but  Jesus,  remember  me,  even  me,  amid  the 

*  Grove.  t  Bishop  Reynolds. 

o o 


O ■ ^ — ^ 0 

264  MEDITATIONS 

assembled  millions  who  will  stand  before  thee  in  judg^ 
ment  at  the  great  day  of  account.  And,  O  may  I 
never  forget  thee ;  but,  filled  with  a  sense  of  thy  love, 
spend  my  whole  time  and  strength,  and  all  I  am,  and 
all  I  have,  for  my  Redeemer. 

John  vi.  56.    He  that  eateth  my  jlesh  and  drinketh  my 
b/ood,  dweUfth  in  me,  and  I  in  him. 

In  such  a  passage,  let  me  never  rest  in  the  outward 
emblem,  but  look  through  the  figure  to  the  truth,  and 
by  the  sign,  realize  the  thing  signified.  Our  Lord 
has  assured  me  his  words  here  are  spirit  and  life. 
May  I  then  have  a  spiritual  appetite  for  this  spiritual 
food  :  O  may  thy  Holy  Spirit  give  me  a  just  and 
lively  sense  of  my  guilt  and  misery,  and  of  my  great 
need  of  Christ,  so  that  I  may  earnestly  long  for,  and, 
as  with  a  keen  and  discriminating  appetite,  hunger 
and  thirst  after  his  salvation.  I  would  now  by  faith 
realize,  and  receive  out  of,  that  fulness  which  there  is 
in  him  for  our  use.  lie  took  upon  him  my  nature, 
and  is  touched  with  a  feeling  of  my  infirmities.  He 
is  my  Shepherd,  who  laid  down  his  life  for  me.  He 
shed  his  blood  for  me  a  miserable  sinner,  and  that 
blood  cleanses  from  all  sin.  He  is  the  propitiation  for 
our  sijis,  giving  himsef  for  us  an  offering  and  a  sacrifice 
to  God,  for  a  sweet-smelling  savour.  He  is  my  priest, 
who  having  made  atonement  for  my  sins,  now  inter- 
cedes in  my  behalf.  He  is  my  complete  Saviour, 
delivering  me  from  all  my  sins.  He  has  wisdom, 
power,  grace,  and  compassion,  adapted  to  all  my 
wants.  His  love  passeth  knowledge.  I  believe  this 
from  my  very  heart.  I  rely  upon  him  as  my  only 
Saviour.  I  would  now,  through  the  bread  and  wine, 
view  afresh  the  atoning  death  of  my  Lord.     My  eyes 

o o 


o o 

DURING   THE    COMMUNION.  265 

look  unto  thee,  O  gracious  Redeemer.  O  my  soul, 
and  all  that  is  within  me,  praise  and  magnify  the  Lord, 
who  died,  who  rose  again,  who  intercedes  for  thee, 
and  who  is  now  present  in  the  assembly  of  his  people. 
Thus  let  me  abide  in  thee,  and  do  thou  give  me  thy 
Spirit,  and  dwell  in  my  heart  by  fahh  ;  thus  may  I 
enjoy  an  increasing  com.m.union  with  thee  as  my  all- 
satisfying  portion,  my  joy,  and  my  strength ;  thus 
may  my  appetite  for  the  world  and  its  pleasures  be 
taken  away ;  and  may  I  find  thee,  O  Christ,  and 
thy  salvation,  to  be  meat  indeed^  and  drink  indeed,  to 
my  needy  soul,  reviving  all  my  dying  graces,  refresh- 
ing my  fainting  spirit,  and  strengthening  me  vigor- 
ously to  fulfil  every  duty. 

Matt.  xxvi.  26.    Take,  eat;  this  is  my  hody. 

"  O  blessed  tidings  to  the  poor  distressed  soul, 
famished  with  feeding  on  husks  and  vanity.  Behold,  i 
thou  sayest.  Take,  eat,  offering  thyself  unto  me,  and 
commanding  me  to  feast  on  thine  own  flesh,  on  thy 
all-sufficient  atonement,  yea,  on  all  thy  merits  and 
graces.  Lord  !  thou  tenderest  most  freely  what  I ; 
need  infinitely,  and  that  which  I  desire  above  all 
things.  Adored  be  thy  wonderful  bounty,  in  com- 
pliance wherewith,  (unworthy  as  I  am)  I  yet  stretch 
out  a  trembling  hand  to  take  hold  of  Christ.  O  may 
I  now  receive  Jesus  as  my  Lord,  believe  on  his  name, 
and  live  upon  his  fulness."* 

I  want  to  receive  thee,  O  Jesus,  and  all  thy  great 
salvation  ;  and  to  view  thy  atonement,  thy  righteous- 
ness, thy  intercession ;  thy  present  power,  thy  future 
return,  and  the  glory  to  be  thus  revealed,  as  the  life- 

*  Comber. 

O ^ 

23 


G- 


-0 


266 


MEDITATIONS 


giving,  cheering,  delightful,  and  all-reviving  truths  on 
which  my  soul  ii*  intently  fixed,  and  in  the  contempla- 
tion of  which  it  eagerly  dwells  and  lives,  rejoices  and 
waxes  stronger  and  stronger  day  by  day.  O  may  I 
thus  learn  to  nauseate  all  the  poor  husks  on  which  I 
have  formerly  lived,  and  evern>ore  feed  on  Christ  the 
true  bread  of  life. 

Isa.  Ivi.  4.     Take  hold  uf  my  covenant. 

The  Gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  indeed  a 
glorious  covenant,  a  rich  dispensation  of  grace  and 
blessing,  a  better  and  more  excellent  covenant  than 
the  law  of  Moses  ;  effected  and  ratified  by  a  sacrifice 
incomparably  great  and  glorious.  This  covenant  is 
everlasting,  complete,  and  sure.  By  faith  in  Jesus, 
the  appointed  mediator  of  this  plan  of  salvation,  I 
would  now  take  hold  of  it,  that  all  its  purposed  and 
promised  mercies  may  be  mine.  I  would  take  hold 
of  it,  as  the  drowning  man  seizes  the  rope  thrown  out 
to  him.  Relinquishing  every  other  hope.  I  desire 
to  win  Christ,  and  he  found  in  him.  As  the  shipwreck- 
ed mariner  gladly  leaves  his  sinking  vessel,  and 
hastens  to  enter  that  life-boat  which  rises  above  the 
stormy  waves,  and  bears  him  in  safety  to  the  shore : 
so  would  T,  leaving  every  thing  else,  enter  the  true 
life-boat  which  will  never  sink,  in  full  assurance  of 
hope,  that  it  will  bring  me  safe  to  the  heavenly  shore. 
Gladly  do  I  fly  for  refuge  to  the  only  sure  hope  of 
man — redemption  through  the  blood  of  Christ. 

2  Cor.  v.  4.    In  this  tabernacle  we  groan,  being  bur- 
dened. 


Burdened  by  temptation  and  sin,  weary  and  heavy 


G 


■O 


0 ( 

DURING   THE    COMMUNION.  267 

laden  by  many  corruptions,  I  this  day  again  cast  my 
sinful  soul  at  the  foot  of  the  cross. 

The  disappointments  of  life  are  trying  to  nature, 
but  I  feel  two  things  strongly  :  First,  that  I  can  re- 
ceive no  denial,  and  no  sorrow,  which  I  do  not  de- 
serve :  and.  Secondly,  that  every  denial  and  sorrow  is 
in  wisdom  and  love.  I  will  not  then  fret  against  the 
Lord  ;  but  will,  by  his  grace,  rejoice  in  him  and  his 
ways. 

But  O,  when  I  look  at  my  sins  and  corruptions,  at 
my  neglected  duties,  at  my  self-indulgent  ways,  and 
at  my  fostered  corruptions  within,  the  real  surprise  is 
that  God  should  bear  with  me  at  all,  or  in  any  way 
use  me  in  his  service.  I  am  struck  with  the  power  of 
that  direction  of  my  Saviour — Remember  Lot^s  loife  ! 
She  did  not  return  to  Sodom,  she  did  but  look  back  : 
the  thoughts  of  her  mind,  the  wishes  of  her  heart, 
were  there.  O  keep  me  then  from  inward  thoughts 
of  the  corruptions  from  which  I  have  been  delivered. 

I  will  then  meekly  acquiesce  in  all  that  God  sends. 
I  need  many  blows  ;  my  Father  sees  my  perverseness, 
my  waywardness,  and  rebellions,  but  he  deals  very 
gently  with  me;  when  I  deserve  to  be  for  ever  cast 
off,  he  chastises  me  to  bring  me  to  .himself,  and  he 
gives  me  the  gracious  promise.  I  will  heal  their  back- 
slidings,  I  will  love  them  freely,  for  mine  anger  is 
turned  away.  Let  this  unspeakably  precious  promise 
be  wholly  realised  to  my  soul. 

Mai.  iv.  2.     Unto  you  that  fear  my  name  shall  the  Sun 
of  Righteousness  arise  tcith  healing  in  his  wings. 

O  divine  Sun  !  thou  hast  brought   life  and  immor- 
tality  to  light  through  the  Gospel,  and  hast  proclaim- 
ed to  the  world  the  acceptable  year  of  the  Lord.     O 
(^l . O 


0 — . — _ — . ^ , — . _ — __ ^ 

268  MEDITATIONS 

Thou,  the  great  Luminary  of  our  hope  and  of  our 
faith,  thou  art  to  us  not  the  Sun  of  legal,  but  the  Sun 
of  evangelical  righteousness.  Not  an  unfriendly 
star,  a  frightful  light,  a  consuming  fire ;  but  thou  art 
the  Sun  of  grace  and  of  mercy,  communicating  liber- 
ally to  all  the  world,  both  to  the  old  and  the  new, 
the  benign  and  salutary  influences  of  thy  light  and 
heat,  and  bringest  to  the  sick  healing  in  thy  wings. 
Thus,  O  Sun  of  Righteousness !  thou  art  our  Phy- 
sician, who  by  thy  powerful  operation  healest  us  of 
the  wounds  made  by  the  old  serpent.  Thou  art  truly 
our  Mercy-seat,  under  whose  shadow  we  find  the  need- 
ful refreshment  and  shelter  from  the  wrath  of  God  and 
our  own  conscience. 

By  Thee  we  see  things,  which  eye  hath  not  seen, 
nor  ear  hath  heard,  neither  have  entered  into  the  heart 
of  man  the  things  which  God  hath  prepared  for  them 
that  love  him.  Thou  enlightenest  the  eyes  of  our  un- 
derstanding, that  we  may  know  what  is  the  hope  of 
thy  calling,  and  what  the  riches  of  the  glory  of  thy 
inheritance  in  the  saints.  Thou  pervadest  our  hearts 
by  thy  powerful  light.  Thou  purgest  our  consciences 
by  the  virtue  o^  thy  beams.  Thou  makest  us  new 
creatures,  and  thou  also  createst  for  us  a  new  heaven 
and  a  new  earth. — -Drelincourt. 

Psalm  xxxix.  7.    And  now,  Lord,  what  wait  I  for? 

God  has  graciously  promised,  Ask,  and  ye  shall 
have.  I  believe  his  promise  ;  and  while  waiting  on 
him  at  his  table,  would  now  implore  his  grace. 

Lord !    I  wait   for  the   increase  of  faith.     Lord, 

help  me  more  clearly  to  apprehend  divine  truths,  and 

to  be  more  distinct  and  firm  in  my  assurance  of  them. 

I  desire  to  attend  at  thy  table  with  a  lively  faith  in 

O Q 


o — o 

DURING   THE    COMMUNION.  269 

the  merits  of  my  Redeemer.  I  would  look  up  to 
Jesus,  and  trust  in  him  with  entire  and  full  confidence, 
as  having  ransomed  me  from  sin  and  death,  and  pro- 
cured for  me  life  and  salvation  with  his  own  precious 
blood.  O  give  me  faith  to  trust  solely  in  thy  mercy 
through  Christ  for  acceptance,  and  earnestly  to  look 
for  the  aid  of  the  Spirit,  to  teach  and  to  purify  me. 

Lord,  I  wait  to  receive  strength  to  overcome  my 
spiritual  enemies.  I  know  myself  to  be  weak,  help- 
less, and  insufficient  for  any  good  work.  But  if  I 
abide  in  Christ,  he  has  said  that  I  shall  bear  much 
fruit.  Through  this  ordinance  let  me  be  drawn  near 
to  him,  and  led  to  abide  more  in  him,  so  that  my  affec- 
tions to  the  world  may  be  deadened,  and  my  whole 
soul  may  be  refreshed  and  strengthened. 

Lord,  I  wait  hungering  and  thirsting  for  thy  salva- 
tion, in  all  its  grace  and  fulness.  O  that  the  blood 
of  Christ  may  speak  peace  to  my  troubled  heart !  O 
that  the  gladdening  light  of  thy  countenance  may 
shine  on  me,  and  the  sense  of  thy  peculiar  presence 
be  felt  in  my  heart!  O  that  here  I  may  clearly  see 
that  Christ  is  mine  and  I  am  his — that  the  Holy  Spirit 
may  be  largely  given  unto  me,  and  I  may  have  a  full 
assurance  of  hope  that  my  sins  are  pardoned  and  my 
soul  is  saved. 

Lord,  I  wait  for  the  spirit  of  adoption.  I  would 
come  to  thy  table  as  a  child  goes  to  an  affectionate 
and  tender  parent,  feeling  that  thou  hast  a  father's 
love  to  me,  and  having  the  tempers  and  disposition  of 
a  loving  child  towards  thee.  O  give  me  a  filial,  even 
a  confiding,  reverential,  loving  and  obedient  spirit. 
Let  me  look  up  to  thee,  my  Heavenly  Father,  for  the 
bread  of  life,  in  full  assurance  that  thou  wilt  not  send 
me  away  empty. 

G- — O 

23* 


) o 

270  MEDITATIONS 

Now,  Lord,  truly  my  Jiope  is  in  thee  for  the  supply  of 
all  my  spiritual  wants.  Give  me  that  which  thou 
seest  would  be  good  for  me :  and  thus  shall  I  be 
blessed  not  only  now,  but  all  my  life  long,  and  in 
death,  and  through  eternity. 

1  Cor.  V.  7,  8.  Christ, 'pur  passover,  is  sacrificed  for 
us,  therefore  let  us  keep  the  feast :  not  with  old 
leaven,  neither  with  the  leaven  of  malice  and 
wickedness,  hut  with  the  unleavened  bread  of  sincer- 
ity and  truth. 

"  The  selection  of  the  Paschal  Lamb  was  signifi- 
cant of  the  Saviour's  appointment  by  the  Father  to  the 
work  of  our  redemption.  The  injunction  that  the 
selected  animal  should  be  without  spot  or  blemish,  set 
forth  his  holy  nature  and  freedom  from  all  sm.  The 
command  to  keep  it  up  for  three  days  before  it  was 
killed,  was  significant  of  the  trial  to  be  made  of  the 
spirit  of  the  Lord  in  his  ministry  previous  to  his  death 
on  the  cross.  The  shedding  of  its  blood  prefigured 
that  death.  The  injunction  to  roast  it  with  fire,  de- 
noted the  Saviour's  subjection  to  the  wrath  of  God 
because  of  sin.  So  also,  the  direction  to  eat  it,  and 
to  eat  it  entire,  was  expressive  of  the  command  to 
believe  in  Christ,  to  receive  him  into  our  hearts  by 
faith,  to  live  on  him  by  faith,  and  to  rest  on  him  alto- 
gether for  salvation  ;  not  doubting  that  God  will  spare 
us  for  his  sake  when  judgment  is  poured  out  on  the 
world  because  of  sin."*  Like  the  Israelites  may  I 
partake  of  this  feast,  and  then,  without  delay,  pursue 
my  journey,  under  the  guidance  of  Christ,  to  the  Hea- 
venly Canaan. 


*  See  Phillips'  Introduction  to  the  Lord's  Supper. 


-O 


1 


G- 


DTJRING-   THE    COMMUNION. 


271 


In  Christ,  our  Passover,  I  have  a  light  and  blessed- 
ness, far  superior  to  that  which  the  Israelites  had. 
The  Lord  has  come,  has  died,  has  risen  again,  and  is 
interceding  for  us ;  that  we  may  be  with  him  ;  he 
gives  us  now  his  Spirit  as  the  earnest  of  our  inherit- 
ance, and  bread  and  wine  as  pledges  of  our  escape 
from  the  wrath  to  come,  and  obtaining  salvation  at 
his  coming. 

If  the  Jews  were  very  diligent  in  putting  away  the 
unleavened  bread  out  of  their  houses  before  the  pass- 
over  ;  O  how  much  more  diligent  should  I  be  to  put 
away  the  leaven  of  sin  from  my  heart.  May  I  search 
out,  and  cast  away  far  from  me  that  pride  and  malice 
which  puff  and  sour  the  heart.  Let  me,  looking  at 
this  sacrifice,  learn  to  walk  in  meekness  and  lowli- 
ness, uprightness  and  integrity  of  heart,  living  in  holy 
joy  and  praise  before  God,  and  in  sincere  kindness 
and  love  unfeigned  to  all  my  fellow  creatures. 

1  Peter  i.  5,  6.  Salvation  ready  to  he,  revealed  in  the 
last  time,  wherein  we  greatly  rejoice,  though  now 
for  a  season,  if  need  he,  ye  are  in  heaviness. 

"  Most  merciful  Jesus,  although  thou  reservest  the 
full  manifestation  of  thy  love  to  my  soul  till  the  glo- 
rious resurrection,  yet,  as  if  thou  wert  impatient  of  so 
great  a  delay,  thou  here  givest  me  a  pledge  of  thy 
love,  and  an  earnest  of  my  title  to  a  never-fading 
bliss.  Thou  hast  dearly  bought  it  for  me,  and  thou 
hast  freely  given  it  to  me  ;  wherefore  I  will  vigorous- 
ly seek  it,  patiently  wait  for  it,  and  earnestly  expect 
it.  Ah !  my  gracious  Redeemer,  here  I  am  vexed 
with  crosses,  oppressed  with  enemies,  troubled  with 
corruptions,  and  tossed  on  the  waves  of  a  thousand 
sins  and  miseries.     But   it  is  my  comfort,  amid    all 


G- 


G 


o o 

272  MEDITATIONS 

these  sorrows,  to  receive  this  assurance^  that  I  shall, 
ere  long-,  be  translated  into  a  blissful  state  never  to 
know  sin,  or  feel  pain ;  to  be  in  danger  of  enemies,  or 
tear  of  evil  any  more.  O  how  welcome  shall  be  that 
blessed  hour  that  summons  me  to  enter  into  the  joys 
of  my  Lord  !  While  I  continue  here,  let  me  behave 
myself,  O  my  Saviour,  as  the  heir  of  thy  kingdom, 
crucifying  those  sins  that  crucified  thee,  and  would 
exclude  me  from  those  felicities  which  thou  hast  offer- 
ed me.  Lord,  I  would  hate  every  thing  that  keeps 
me  from  heaven,  and  love  nothing  but  what  may 
further  me  in  my  way  thither.  O  give  me  thy  grace 
to  live  as  one  that  is  above  all  the  trifling  pleasures 
and  sorrows  of  this  lower  world,  and  to  conduct  my- 
self as  becomes  an  heir  of  glory,  as  one  designed  to 
be  a  companion  of  angels,  and  to  partake  of  thy  bliss 
for  ever  and  ever."* 

Psalm  xvii.  3.    I  am  purposed  that  mt^  mouth  shall  not 
transgress. 

Lord,  I  concie  to  renew  my  vows,  (too  often,  alas  ! 
broken,)  and  to  repeat  my  baptismal  promises,  that 
I  would  renounce  the  Devil  and  all  his  works,  the 
pomps  and  vanities  of  this  wicked  world,  and  all  the 
sinful  lusts  of  the  flesh.  I  come  to  profess  my  belief 
in  all  the  articles  of  the  Christian  faith,  and  my  reso- 
lution to  obey  God's  holy  will  and  commandments. 

I  desire  to  come  with  the  lowest  self-abasement, 
as  sensible  that  I  am  unworthy  of  the  least  mercy, 
and  am  yet  admitted  to  the  table  of  the  Heavenly 
Father,  with  his  children.  I  would  come,  feeling 
that  I  am  poor,  naked,  and  destitute,  and  admiring 

*  Comber. 

G O 


0 Q 

DURING   THE    COMMUNION.  273 

the  riches  of  divine  mercy  towards  so  rebellious  a 
creature. 

I  would  come,  at  peace  with  all  the  world.  I  trust 
there  is  no  one  justly  offended  with  me;  or  if  there  be 
such,  no  one  to  whom  I  would  not  make  all  Christian 
submission,  confession,  and  reparation.  And  I  trust 
that  I  can  appeal  to  thee,  thou  Searcher  of  hearts, 
that  I  feel  no  enmity,  or  ill-will  to  any  human  being  ; 
but  by  divine  grace,  from  my  heart  I  do  forgive  and 
will  forgive  every  offence  against  me,  be  it  more  than 
seventy  times  repeated.  Should  anything  of  a  con- 
trary temper  now,  or  ever,  prevail,  O  enable  me  to 
struggle  against  it,  and  overcome  it. 

I  would  come  with  a  firm  purpose,  through  thy 
grace,  to  forsake  every  sin,  and  give  myself  entirely 
to  thee,  to  be  guided  by  thy  good  Spirit,  to  be  directed 
by  thy  holy  word,  to  be  saved  by  thy  dear  Son,  and 
to  glorify  thy  holy  name  by  my  whole  life,  conduct, 
and  conversation. 

Luke  xxiii.  34.    Father,  forgive  them;  for  they  know 
not  what  they  do. 

O  thou  gracious  Redeemer,  the  Prince  of  Peace  ; 
thou  compassionate  Saviour,  the  Lord  of  Glory  ;  give 
me  grace  so  that  I  may  ever  hereafter  show  myself 
loving  and  mild  to  all  my  enemies,  pardon  them  from 
my  heart,  earnestly  pray  for  them,  and  seek  to  do 
them  good. 

O  Jesus !  let  me  never  harbour  one  rancorous, 
malicious,  or  unkind  thought  in  that  heart,  in  which  I 
trust  thou,  the  loving  Saviour,  now  dwellest  by  faith. 
But  may  I  become  more  like  thee,  O  Christ!  in  my 
spirit  and  behaviour  towards  all  with  whom  I  have  to 
deal.     Shalt  thou  freely  forgive,  and  wonderfully  ex. 


6 


■o 


0 —     .  __ ..---.^^ o 

274  MEDITATIONS    ON    THE  I 

tenuate  such  ao^gravated  injuries  as  were  inflicted  on 
thee ;  and  shall  not  I  freely  forgive  the  infinitely 
smaller  trespasses  that  may  be  committed  against  me? 
0  let  me  have  the  same  mind  thai  loas  in  Christ. 


MEDITATIONS  ON  THE  FESTIVALS  OF 
THE  CHURCH. 

CfiRISTMAS-DATf. 

Luke  xxii.  19.  This  is  my  lody,  which  is  given  for  you. 

And  was  the  Son  of  God  made  in  the  likeness  of 
sinful  flesh,  so  that  his  sacred  body  might  be  given  for 
me  ?  O  glorious  ransom  price  for  my  recovery  !  Most 
complete  must  be  that  redemption  for  which  so  great  a 
price  was  paid.  Yes,  Christ,  my  Lord,  whose  name 
is  called  Wonderful,  Counsellor,  The  Mighty  God, 
The  Everlasting  Father,  and  The  Prince  of  Peace, 
was  born  of  a  virgin,  and  took  our  nature  upon  him, 
that  he  might,  by  suffering  for  sin,  satisfy  the  justice, 
and  appease  the  righteous  anger  of  a  holy  God  !  And 
to  what  a  life  was  this  holy  Child  Jesus  born  !  O  Je- 
sus, I  would  now  recollect  that  thy  body  was  given  to 
weariness,  labour,  painful ness,  and  watchings  oft.  It 
was  given  to  treatment  most  shameful  and  most  tor- 
menting ;  to  spitting,  smiting,  and  cruel  mockings ;  to 
the  lashes  of  the  whip,  to  the  thorns,  the  nails,  the 
cross,  the  spear,  death,  and  the  grave.  All  this,  and 
thy  father's  sensible  and  felt  desertion,  was  suffered 
for  us  men,  and  for  our  salvation.  Thus  my  body  was 
O O 


?- 


_ o 

FESTIVALS    OF    THE    CHURCH.  275 

redeemed  from  the  power  of  sin  and  Satan,  and  re- 
covered to  light,  life,  and  joy.  Precious  Saviour  !  the 
gift  of  thy  body  procures  for  me  pardon  and  peace. 

0  then  let  me  give  my  body  and  soul  to  thee  !  let 
them  not  any  longer  be  yielded  to  the  degrading  ser- 
vice of  sin,  but  become  wholly  thine.  Expel  every 
enemy  of  thine  and  of  mine ;  and  come,  blessed  Re- 
deemer, and  dwell  in  my  heart  by  faith  every  day. 
May  love  to  thee  fill  and  pervade  my  whole  soul,  and 
constrain  me  to  live  wholly  to  thee, 

EASTER  DAY. 

1  Cor.  XV.  20.    Now  is  Christ  risen  from  the  dead,  and 

become  the  Jirst  fruits  of  them  that  slept. 

While  we  specially  at  the  Lord's  table,  seem  to  sit 
at  the  foot  of  the  cross,  and  commemorate  our  Sa- 
viour's death,  we  may  still  rejoice  in  the  recollection 
that  Christ  is  indeed  risen.  If  Christ  were  not  raised, 
then  truly  faith  in  him  is  imin,  and  we  are  yet  in  our 
sins.  But  never  was  a  fact  so  fully  proved  and 
established  as  this  fact  was.  Let  me  then  now  con- 
template this  great  and  all-important  fact.  His  resur- 
rection is  the  foundation  of  my  hope  ;  it  declares  him 
to  be  the  Son  of  God,  and  a  Redeemer  mighty  to  save  ; 
it  shows  that  we  are  justified  and  secured  from  con- 
demnation, and  is  the  means  of  our  spiritual  life.  O 
Lord,  my  God,  not  only  give  me  a  firm  and  unshaken 
confidence  in  this  great  fact ;  but  grant  that  I  may  re- 
member it  with  unfeigned  gratitude,  and  let  me  receive 
from  my  risen  Saviour,  all  those  blessings  which  he  is 
exalted  to  bestow. 

But  especially  would  I  derive  comfort  from  looking 
at  his  resurrection,  as  a  type  and  pledge  of  the  be- 
liever's rising  from  the  grave.     As  he  rose,  so  shall 

0 O 


0- 


^Q 


276 


MEDITATIONS    ON    THE 


we  rise  also.  How  cheering'  to  the  mind  awakened  to 
a  sense  of  the  nearness  and  magnitude  of  eternity,  is 
the  conviction  that  through  Christ  death  has  now  lost 
its  sting,  and  the  grave  its  victory.  \Vhosoever  heliev- 
eth  in  him  shall  never  die.  Death  shall  be  but  the  gate 
of  life,  the  beginning  of  endless  joy. 

Rom.  iv.  25,      Who  luas  deU'Cered  far  cnir  offences,  and 
vjas  raised  again  for  our  justification, 

"  I  will  go  to  thy  table  with  joy,  and  tell  out  thy 
works  with  gladness,  Omost  mighty  Saviour,  who  hast 
not  only  died  for  my  sins,  but  risen  again  for  my  justi- 
fication. Indeed,  what  comfort  would  I  have  found  in 
this  memorial  of  thy  death,  if  it  had  not  been  for  thy 
resurrection.  "  This  Sacrament  then  would  only  have 
represented  thy  sufferings,  and  renewed  my  sorrow,  to 
think  that  so  excellent  a  person  had  failed  of  my  de- 
liverance !  but  now  it  is  become  a  feast  of  joy,  be- 
cause it  is  an  assurance  of  thy  resurrection,  as  well  as 
a  commemoration  of  thy  passion.  Since  thou  livest, 
glorified  Jesus,  we  live  also.  Thy  resurrection  gives 
life  to  our  hopes,  makes  our  sorrows  light,  our  lives 
cheerful,  and  our  death  the  gate  of  immortality.  Our 
fears  are  dispelled,  and  our  troubled  hearts  are  quieted 
with  this, — The  Lord  is  risen ;  yea,  The  Lord  is  risen 
indeed.''"^ 

ASCENSION    DAY. 

Luke  xxiv.  51.     And  it  came  io  pass,  while  he  blessed 
them,  he  2cas  parted  from  them,,  and  carried  up  into 
heaven. 
How  full  of  love,  even  to  the  end,  was  our  adorable 

Lord  !    The  last  words  sounding  in  the  ears  of  his  dis- 


*  Comber. 


6- 


■o 


Q __ . O 

FESTIVALS    OF    THE    CHURCH.  277 

ciples  was  a  blessing.  He  ascended  to  heaven  bless- 
ing them,  and  is  still  the  same  yesterday,  to-day,  and 
for  ever.  O  ascended  Saviour,  may  my  heart  rise 
whither  thou  art  gone  ;  and  now  Christ  is  gone  to  hea- 
ven, may  my  affections  be  set  on  things  above.  I  know 
that  my  Redeemer  liveth.  This  is  a  blessed  confidence 
that  can  support  the  soul  in  the  severest  trials.  He 
makes  himself  known  too  hi  the  hreaking  of  bread.  I 
would  not  then  only  remember  his  death  ;  but  looking 
at  his  ascension,  see  the  power  given  to  him,  mark  the 
gifts  which  he  has  received,  dwell  upon  the  work  which 
he  is  now  carrying  on,  and  daily  come  to  him,  and  hold 
communion  with  him. 

Remember,  too,  O  my  soul,  this  same  Jesus  which 
was  thus  taken  up  into  heaven.,  shall  so  come  in  like  man- 
ner as  he  was  seen  going  into  heaven.  Now  at  his  ta- 
ble, I  profess  my  expectation  of  his  comin^x  again.  O 
may  I  be  always  ready  for  that  day.  The  Lord  in 
mercy  grant  that  this  sacred  Institution  may  raise  my 
heart  to  my  ascended  Saviour,  and  lead  me  to  look, 
and  diligently  prepare  for,  his  second  coming. . 

WHIT- SUNDAY. 

Acts  xix.  2.     Have  ye  receded  the  Holy  Ghost  since 
ye  believed? 

Where  true  faith  is,  there  are  also  the  gracious  in- 
fluences of  the  Spirit.  O  may  I  so  believe  as  to  receive 
the  Holy  Spirit,  which  is  the  Seal  of  God,  (Eph.  i.  13.) 
showing  who  are  his  redeemed  people.  Give  unto  me 
all  the  evidences  that  distinguish  those  who  have  re- 
ceived this  gift.  They  are  born  of  the  Spirit.  O  Lord, 
produce  in  me  the  new  heart  and  the  new  spirit,  the 
daily  turning  from  darkness  to  light,  from  sin  to  holi- 

o — o 

24 


O ^ — 0 

278  MEDITATIONS    ON    THE 

ness,  and  from  the  world  to  God  my  Saviour.  They 
have  the  Spirit  of  prayer.  O  raise  my  heart  constantly 
to  thee  in  holy  aspirations  through  the  day,  and  give 
me  real  desires  after  thee  in  public,  family,  and  social 
worship,  so  that  I  may  never  be  content  with  a  formal 
round  of  duties.  They  mortify  the  deeds  of  the  body. 
The  Lord  grant  that  I  too  may  strive  against  every 
temptation,  resist  sin,  and  never  yield  to  carnal  indul- 
gences. They  bring  forth  the  fruits  of  righteousness. 
O  that  I  may  manifestly  bear  the  fruit  of  love,  joy, 
peace,  gentleness,  goodness,  meekness,  long-suffering, 
faith,  and  temperance. 

O  Lord,  my  heavenly  Father,  I  would  feel  and  ac- 
knowledge that  though,  through  thy  great  mercy,  I  am 
not,  I  trust,  wholly  barren  of  spiritual  fruit,  yet  there 
is  little  mdeed  brought  forth  that  may  glorify  God, 
and  adorn  the  doctrine  of  my  Saviour.  O  thou  who 
hearest  prayer,  and  givest  good  things  to  them  that 
ask,  give  me,  give  thy  Church,  give  unto  all  flesh, 
largely  and  fully,  that  best  gift — thy  Holy  Spirit. 

BehQld,  thy  Spirit  hath  converted  and  sanctified 
millions ;  let  me  therefore,  together  with  thy  whole 
church,  receive  here  such  portions  of  thy  Holy  Spirit, 
as  may  suppress  our  evil  affections,  revive  our  dead 
hearts,  comfort  our  dejected  minds,  and  turn  our  igno- 
rance, disobedience  and  sorrow,  into  knowledge,  and 
practice,  and  holy  joy.  Let  the  Spirit  rest  upon  me, 
and  dwell  in  me  for  ever,  so  that  I  may  always  have 
cause  to  bless  thee  for  so  incomparable  a  gift. 


O- 


O — — 0 

FESTIVALS    OF    THE    CHURCH.  279 


TRINITY-SUNDAY. 

Ephes.  ii.  18.      Through  him  ice  hoth  have  access  hy 
one  Spirit  unto  the  Father. 

Jesus  our  Lord,  having  reconciled  us  to  God  by  the 
cross,  may  I  practically  know  what  it  is  to  have  ac- 
cess unto  him,  through  Christ,  by  the  Spirit.  I  desire 
to  know  the  great  and  glorious  doctrine  of  this  day, 
not  as  a  matter  of  theory,  or  belief  merely,  but  as  a 
thing  of  experience,  and  daily  practice.  Deliver  me 
from  a  proud  and  presumptuous  spirit  that  would  cavil 
at  thy  truth.  Deliver  me  from  a  too  curious  and  pry- 
ing  spirit,  that  would  attempt  to  comprehend  that 
which  it  has  not  pleased  thee  fully  to  reveal.  Give 
me  grace  in  all  simplicity  of  heart  to  receive  what 
thou  hast  declared,  and  feeling  my  own  ignorance  and 
nothingness,  to  adore  thee  in  thy  incomprehensible 
Majesty  and  unsearchable  glory. 

Almighty  God,  our  heavenly  Father,  I  come  to 
thee  as  one  that  spared  not  thy  beloved  Son  for  us, 
and  art  now  reconciled  by  him;  and  T  beseech  thee, 
receive,  provide  for,  and  bless  me. 

Blessed  Redeemer,  thou  art  the  Way,  the  Truth, 
and  the  Life,  my  Mediator  and  my  Advocate,  my 
hope  is  in  thy  merits  and  thy  intercession. 

Holy  Spirit,  the  Comforter,  who  showest  the  Sa- 
viour to  sinners,  I  look  to  thee  to  teach  and  guide,  to 
purify,  strengthen,  and  console  me. 


G O 


-o 


CliAPTER  VIII. 

TEXTS    SELECTED     FOR    MEDITATION,    AND     ARRANGED 
UNDER    DIFFERENT     HEADS. 

The  frequent  recurrence  of  the  duty  of  attending 
at  the  Lord's  table,  makes  it  desirable  to  have  a 
greater  variety  in  the  subjects  of  pious  reflection, 
than  the  preceding  meditations  furnish  ;  still,  how- 
ever, keeping  in  mind  the  main  point  to  be  dwelt  upon 
at  the  Lord's  table,  the  death  of  Christ  as  a  sacrifice 
for  sin.  In  this  view,  the  following  passages  of  Scrip- 
ture have  been  selected,  that  the  communicant  may 
from  time  to  time  choose  those  subjects  of  contempla- 
tion, which  may  be  most  adapted  to  the  present  state 
of  his  mind,  and  yet  have  his  eye  chiefly  fixed  on 
Christ.  Younger  Christians  may  find  it  advantageous 
to  commit  to  their  memory  some  of  these  passages. 
David  says.  Thy  ivord  have  I  hid  in  my  heart,  that  I 
might  not  sin  against  thee. 

1.— THE  LOVE  OF  GOD. 

John  iii.  16.  God  so  loved  the  world,  that  he  gave  his  only 
begotten  Son,  that  whosoever  believeth  in  him  should  not 
perish,  but  have  everlasting  life. 

1  John  iii.  16.  Hereby  perceive  we  the  love  of  God,  because 
he  laid  down  his  life  for  us. 

1  John  iv.  10.  Herein  is  love :  not  that  we  loved  God,  but 
that  he  loved  us,  and  sent  his  Son  to  be  the  propitiation  for 
our  sins. 

Rom.  v.  8.  God  commendeth  his  love  towards  us,  in  that 
while  we  were  yet  sinners,  Christ  died  for  us. 


G- 


-O 


o- 


o 


TEXTS    SELECTED    FOR    MEDITATION. 


281 


Rom.  viii.  32.  He  that  spared  not  his  own  Son,  but  delivered 
him  up  for  us  all,  how  shall  he  not  with  him  also  freely  give 
us  all  things. 

Isa.  Ixiii.  7.  I  will  mention  the  loving  kindness  of  the  Lord, 
and  the  praises  of  the  Lord,  according  to  all  that  the  Lord  hath 
bestowed  on  us,  and  the  great  goodness  toward  the  house  of 
Israel,  which  he  hath  bestowed  on  them  according  to  his  mer- 
cies, and  according  to  the  multitude  of  his  loving  kindness. 

Isa.  xlix.  15,  16.  Can  a  woman  forget  her  sucking  child, 
that  she  should  not  have  compassion  on  the  son  of  her  womb  1 
yea,  they  may  forget,  yet  will  I  not  forget  thee. 

Behold,  I  have  graven  thee  on  the  palms  of  my  hands ;  thy 
walls  are  continually  before  me. 

2.— THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 

John  XV.  13.  Greater  love  hath  no  man  than  this,  that  a 
man  lay  down  his  life  for  his  friends. 

Rom.  V.  10.  When  we  were  enemies  we  were  reconciled  to 
God  by  the  death  of  his  Son. 

Eph.  iii.  18,  19.  To  comprehend  with  all  saints  what  is  the 
breadth,  and  length,  and  depth,  and  height,  and  to  know  the 
love  of  Christ  which  passeth  knowledge. 

Eph.  V.  2.  Christ  also  hath  loved  us,  and  hath  given  him- 
self for  us,  an  offering  and  a  sacrifice  to  God,  for  a  sweet-smell- 
ing savour. 

John  XV.  9.  As  the  Father  hath  loved  me,  so  have  I  loved 
you :  continue  ye  in  my  love. 

2  Cor.  V.  14.  The  love  of  Christ  constraineth  us;  because 
we  thus  judge,  that  if  one  died  for  all,  then  were  all  dead. 

John  xiii.  1.  Having  loved  his  own  which  were  in  the 
world,  he  loved  them  unto  the  end. 

Rev.  i.  5,  6.  Unto  him  that  loved  us,  and  washed  us  from 
our  jins  in  his  own  blood,  and  hath  made  us  kings  and  priests 
unto  God  and  his  Father,  to  him  be  glory  and  dominion,  for 
ever  and  ever.     Amen. 

3.— THE  SUFFERINGS  OF  CHRIST. 

Isa.  Iii.  14,  15.  His  visage  was  so  marred  more  than  any 
man,  and  his  form  more  than  the  sons  of  men :  so  shall  he 
sprinkle  many  nations. 


G- 


•O 


o o 

282  TEXTS    SELECTED 

Isa.  liii.  3.  He  is  despised  and  rejected  of  men;  a  man  of 
sorrows  and  acquainted  with  grief 

Isa.  liii.  10.  It  pleased  the  Lord  to  bruise  him ;  he  hath 
put  him  to  grief:  when  thou  shalt  make  his  soul  an  offering  for 
sin,  he  shall  see  his  seed. 

Matt.  xxvi.  3S.  Then  saith  he  unto  them.  My  soul  is  ex- 
ceeding sorrowful,  even  unto  death. 

Lam.  i.  12.  Is  it  nothing  to  you,  all  ye  that  pass  by  1  be- 
hold, and  see  if  there  be  any  sorrow  like  unto  my  sorrow  which 
is  done  unto  me,  wherewith  the  Lord  hath  afflicted  me,  in  the 
day  of  his  fierce  anger. 

Heb.  xii.  2.  Who  for  the  joy  that  was  set  before  him,  en- 
dureth  the  cross,  despising  the  shame,  and  is  set  down  at  the 
right  hand  of  the  throne  of  God. 

Luke  xxiii.  33.  And  when  they  were  come  to  the  place 
which  is  called  Calvary,  there  they  crucified  him,  and  the  male- 
factors, one  on  the  right  hand,  and  the  other  on  the  left. 

John  xix.  34.  One  of  the  soldiers  with  a  spear,  pierced  his 
side :  and  forthwith  came  thereout  blood  and  water. 

1  Cor.  XV.  3,  4.  Christ  died  for  our  sins,  according  to  the 
Scriptures,  and  that  he  was  buried,  and  that  he  rose  again  the 
third  day. 

Luke  xxiv.  26.  Ought  not  Christ  to  have  suffered  these 
things,  and  to  enter  into  his  glory  1 

4.— THE  ATONEMENT  OF  CHRIST. 

Isa.  liii.  6.  All  we  like  sheep  have  gone  astray;  we  have 
turned  every  one  to  his  own  way,  and  the  Lord  hath  laid  on 
him  the  iniquity  of  us  all. 

Isa.  liii.  8.  He  was  cut  off  out  of  the  land  of  the  living  :  for 
the  transgression  of  my  people  was  he  stricken. 

Matt.  XX.  28.  The  Son  of  Man  came  not  to  be  ministered 
unto,  but  to  minister,  and  to  give  his  life  a  ransom  for  many. 

Rom.  iv.  25.  Who  was  delivered  for  our  offences,  and  was 
raised  again  for  our  justification. 

Rom.  V.  6.  When  we  were  yet  without  strength,  in  due 
time  Christ  died  for  the  ungodly. 

Eph.  i.  7.     We  have  redemption  through  his  blood,  the  for- 
giveness of  sins,  according  to  the  riches  of  his  grace. 
I      1  Tim.  ii.  6.    Who  gave  himself  a  ransom  for  all. 

o o 


O G 

FOR   MEDITATION.  283 

Heb.  ix.  2S.    Christ  was  once  offered  to  bear  the  sins  of  many. 

1  John  ii.  1,2.  If  any  man  sin,  we  have  an  advocate  with 
the  Father,  Jesus  Christ  the  righteous;  and  he  is  the  propitia- 
tion for  our  sins;  and  not  for  ours  only,  but  also  for  the  sins  of 
the  whole  world. 

Rev.  V.  9.  Thou  wast  slain,  and  hast  redeemed  us  to  God  by 
thy  blood,  out  of  every  kindred,  and  tongue,  and  people,  and 
nation. 

Exod.  xii.  23.  When  he  seeth  the  blood,  the  Lord  will  not 
sufter  the  destroyer  to  come  in  unto  your  houses  to  smite  you. 

Rom.  V.  10.  We  were  reconciled  to  God  by  the  death  of  his 
Son. 

Col.  i.  19,  20.  It  pleased  the  Father  that  in  him  should  all 
fulness  dwell;  and  having  made  peace  through  the  blood  of 
his  cross,  by  him  to  reconcile  all  things  to  himself. 

Heb.  ii.  17.  A  merciful  and  faithful  High  Priest. — to  make 
reconciliation  for  the  sins  of  the  people. 

5.— THE  WORK  OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT. 

John  XV.  26.  When  the  Comforter  is  come,  whom  I  will 
send  unto  you  from  the  Father,  even  the  Spirit  of  truth,  which 
proceedeth    from  the  Father,  he  shall  testify  of  me. 

John  xvi.  8.  When  he  is  come,  he  shall  reprove  the  world 
of  sin,  and  of  righteousness,  and  of  judgment. 

Rom.  viii.  9.  If  any  man  have  not  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  he 
is  none  of  his. 

Rom.  V.  5.  The  Love  of  God  is  shed  abroad  in  our  hearts, 
by  the  Holy  Ghost  which  is  given  unto  us. 

1  Cor.  xii.  3.  No  man  can  say  that  Jesus  is  the  Lord,  but  by 
the  Holy  Gkost. 

John  xvi.  7.  It  is  expedient  for  you  that  I  go  away:  for  if  I 
go  not  away,  the  Comforter  will  not  come  unto  you :  but  if  I 
depart,  I  will  send  him  unto  you. 

2  Cor.  iii.  17.  Where  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  is,  there  is 
liberty. 

2  Cor.  iii.  18.  But  we  all,  with  open  face,  beholding  as  in 
a  glass  the  glory  of  the  Lord,  are  changed  into  the  same  image, 
from  glory  to  glory,  even  as  by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord. 

Gal.  V.  22,23.  The  fruit  of  the  Spirit  is  love,  joy,  peace,  long- 
suffering,  gentleness,  goodness,  faith,  meekness,  temperance. 

O ^ -G 


o- 


-o 


284  TEXTS    SELECTED 


6.— THE  NEW  COVENANT. 

Heb.  viii.  10 — 12.  This  is  the  covenant  that  I  will  make 
with  the  house  of  Israel  atter  those  days,  saith  the  Lord:  I  will 
put  my  laws  into  their  mind,  and  write  them  in  their  hearts, 
and  I  will  be  to  them  a  God,  and  they  shall  be  to  me  a 
people. 

And  they  shall  not  teach  every  man  his  neighbour,  and  every 
man  his  brother,  saying.  Know  the  Lord;  for  all  shall  know 
me,  from  the  least  to  the  greatest. 

For  1  will  be  merciful  to  their  unrighteousness,  and  their 
sins  and  their  iniquities  will  I  remember  no  more. 

Heb.  xii.  22 — 24.  Ye  are  come  unto  Mount  Zion,  and  unto 
the  city  of  the  living  God,  the  heavenly  Jerusalem,  and  to  an 
innumerable  company  of  angels. 

To  the  general  assembly  and  church  of  the  first  born,  which 
are  written  in  heaven,  and  to  God  the  judge  of  all,  and  to  the 
spirits  of  just  men  made  perfect. 

And  to  Jesus  the  mediator  of  the  new  covenant,  and  to  the 
blood  of  sprinkling,  that  speaketh  better  things  than  that  of 
Abel. 

Jer.  xxxii.  40,  41.  I  will  make  an  everlasting  covenant 
with  them,  that  I  will  not  turn  away  from  them  to  do  them 
good ;  but  I  will  put  my  fear  in  their  hearts,  and  they  shall  not 
depart  from  me. 

Yea,  I  will  rejoice  over. them  to  do  them  good;  and  I  will 
plant  them  in  this  land  assuredly,  with  my  whole  heart,  and 
with  my  whole  soul. 

7.— FAITH  IN  CHRIST. 

John  vi.  29.  This  is  the  work  of  God,  that  ye  believe  on 
Him  whom  he  h/ith  sent. 

John  xi.  27.  I  believe  that  thou  art  the  Christ,  the  Son  of 
God,  which  should  come  into  the  world. 

John  vi.  68,  69.  Thou  hast  the  words  of  eternal  life,  and 
we  believe  and  are  sure,  that  thou  art  that  Christ  the  Son  of 
the  living  God. 

Rom.  iv.  20,  21.  He  staggered  not  at  the  promise  of  God 
through  unbelief,  but  was  strong  in  faith  giving  glory  to  God ; 

o- 6 


I 


0 __ — — 0 

FOR   MEDITATION.  285 

And  being  fUUy  persuaded  that  what  he  had  promised  he 
was  able  also  to  perform. 

Gal.  ii.  20.  The  life  which  I  now  live  in  the  flesh,  I  live 
by  the  faith  of  the  Son  of  God,  who  loved  me  and  gave  himself 
for  me. 

Ephi  iii.  17;    That  Christ  may  dwell  in  your  hearts  by  faith. 

John  i.  12.  As  many  as  received  him,  to  them  gaVe  he 
power  to  become  the  sons  of  God,  even  to  them  that  believe  on 
his  name. 

Heb.  xii.  2.  Looking  unto  Jesus,  the  author  and  finisher  of 
our  faith. 

Rom.  iii.  25,  Whom  God  hath  set  forth  to  be  a  propitiation 
through  faith  in  his  blood. 

8.— REPENTANCE. 

Zech.  xii.  10.  They  shall  look  upon  me  whom  they  have 
pierced,  and  they  shall  mourn. 

Rom.  ii.  4.    The  goodness  of  Godleadeth  thee  to  repentance. 

Acts  V.  31.  Him  hath  God  exalted  with  his  right  hand,  to 
be  a  Prince  and  a  Saviour,  for  to  give  repentance  to  Israel  and 
forgiveness  of  sins. 

Luke  xxivi  46.  It  behoVed  Christ  to  sufTer,  and  to  rise  from 
the  dead  the  third  day;  and  that  repentance  and  remission  of 
sins  should  be  preached  in  his  name  among  all  nations,  be- 
ginning at  Jerusalem. 

Isaiah  Iv.  7.  Let  the  wicked  forsake  his  way,  and  the  un- 
righteous man  his  thoughts^  and  let  him  return  unto  the  Lord, 
and  he  will  have  mercy  upon  himj  and  to  our  God,  for  he  will 
abundantly  pardon. 

Jer.  iii.  22.     Return — and  I  will  heal  your  backsliding. 

Hosea  vi.  1.  Comej  and  let  us  return  unto  the  Lord;  for  he 
hath  torn,  and  he  will  heal  us;  he  hath  smitten,  and  he  will 
bind  us  up. 

2  Cor.  vii.  10,  11.  Godly  sorrow  worketh  repentance  to  sal- 
vation not  to  be  repented  of:  but  the  sorrow  of  the  world 
worketh  death. 

For  behold  this  self-same  thing  that  ye  sorrowed  after  a  godly 
sort,  what  carefulness  it  wrought  in  you ;  yea,  what  clearing  of 
yourselves ;  yea,  what  indignation ;  yea,  what  fear ;  yea,  what 
vehement  desire ;  yea,  what  zeal ;  yea,  what  revenge. 


o- 


-r\ 


G" 


-0 


286 


TEXTS    SELECTED 


9.— THE  FORGIVENESS  OF  SINS. 


Psalm  cxxx  4.  There  is  forgiveness  with  thee,  that  thou 
mayest  be  feared. 

Daniel  ix.  9.  To  the  Lord  our  God  belong  mercies  and  for- 
givenesses, though  we  have  rebelled  against  him. 

1  John  i.  9.  If  we  confess  our  sins,  he  is  faithful  and  just  to 
forgive  us  our  sins,  and  to  cleanse  us  from  all  unrighteousness. 

Col.  ii.  13,  14,  1-5.  Having  forgiven  you  all  trespasses ;  blot- 
ting out  the  hand  writing  of  ordinances  that  was  against  us, 
which  was  contrary  to  us,  and  took  it  out  of  the  way,  nailing  it 
to  his  cross ;  and,  having  spoiled  principalities  and  powers,  he 
made  a  show  of  them  openly  triumphing  over  them  in  it. 

Matt.  ix.  6.  The  Son  of  Man  hath  power  on  earth  to  for- 
give sins. 

1  John  ii.  12.  I  write  unto  you,  little  children,  because  your 
sins  are  forgiven  you,  for  his  name's  sake. 

Micah  vii.  IS,  19.  Who  is  a  God  like  unto  thee,  that  par- 
doneth  iniquity,  and  passeth  by  the  transgression  of  the  rem- 
nant of  his  heritage  .-*  he  retained  not  his  anger  for  ever,  be- 
cause he  delighteth  in  mercy.  He  will  turn  again,  he  will 
have  compassion  upon  us,  he  will  subdue  our  iniquities :  and 
thou  wilt  cast  all  their  sins  into  the  depths  of  the  sea. 

10.— JUSTIFICATION. 

Rom.  iii.  24.  Being  justified  freely  by  his  grace,  through  the 
redemption  that  is  in  Jesus  Christ. 

Rom.  iii.  28.  We  conclude  that  a  man  is  justified  by  faith, 
without  the  deeds  of  the  law. 

Gal.  ii.  16.  Knowing  that  a  man  is  not  justified  by  the  works 
of  the  law,  but  by  the  faith  of  Jesus  Christ. 

Gal.  V.  6.  Faith  which  worketh  by  love- 
Acts  xiii.  39.  By  him,  all  that  believe  are  justified  from  all 
things,  from  which  ye  could  not  be  justified  by  the  law  of 
Moses. 

Isaiah  liii.  11.  By  his  knowledge  shall  my  righteous  ser- 
vant justify  many,  for  he  shall  bear  their  iniquities. 

Rom.  iv.  2.  If  Abraham  were  justified  by  works,  he  hath 
whereof  to  2;l(:rv. 


o- 


-o 


o o 

FOR   MEDITATIdN.  287 

Rom.  iv.  5.  But  to  him  that  worketh  not,  but  believeth  on 
him  that  justifieth  the  ungodly,  his  faith  is  counted  for  right- 
eousness. 

James  ii.  21,  22.  When  he  had  offered  Isaac  his  son  upon 
the  altar,  seest  thou  how  faith  wrought  with  his  works,  and  by 
works  was  faith  made  perfect? 

Rom.  iv.  24,  25.  Jesus  our  Lord — was  delivered  for  our  of- 
fences, and  raised  again  for  our  justification. 

11.— SANCTIFICATION. 

Ezek.  xxxvi.  25-27.  Then  will  I  sprinkle  clean  water 
upon  you,  and  ye  shall  be  clean ;  from  all  your  filthiness,  and 
from  all  your  idols,  will  I  cleanse  you.  A  new^  heart  also  will 
I  give  you,  and  a  new  spirit  will  I  put  within  you  ;  and  I  will 
take  away  the  stony  heart  out  of  your  flesh,  and  I  will  give  you 
an  heart  of  flesh.  And  I  will  put  my  Spirit  within  you,  and 
cause  you  to  walk  in  my  statutes,  and  ye  shall  keep  my  judg- 
ments, and  do  them. 

1  Peter  i.  2.  Elect,  according  to  the  foreknowledge  of  God 
the  Father,  through  sanctification  of  the  Spirit,  unto  obedience, 
and  sprinkling  of  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ. 

John  xvii;  19.  For  their  sakes  I  sanctify  myself,  that  they 
also  might  be  sanctified  through  the  truth. 

Rom.  vii.  4.  Ye  also  are  become  dead  to  the  law  by  the 
body  of  Christ,  that  we  should  bring  forth  fruit  unto  God. 

Heb.  xiii.  20,  21.  The  God  of  peace  that  brought  again 
from  the  dead  our  Lord  Jesus,  that  great  Shepherd  of  the  sheep, 
through  the  blood  of  the  everlasting  covenant,  make  you  per- 
fect in  every  good  work  to  do  his  will,  working  in  you  that 
which  is  well  pleasing  in  his  sight,  through-  Jesus  Christ;  to 
whom  be  glory  for  ever  and  ever.     Amen. 

1  Thess.  V.  23.  The  very  God  of  peace  sanctify  you  wholly ; 
and  I  pray  God  your  whole  spirit,  and  soul,  and  body,  be  pre- 
served blameless  unto  the  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

Eph.  V.  25-27.  Christ  also  loved  the  Church,  and  gave  him- 
self for  it ; 

That  he  might  sanctify  and  cleanse  it,  with  the  washing  of 
water  by  the  word. 

That  he  might  present  it  to  himself  a  glorious  Church,  not 

o 3 


, ^ . . — — o 

288  TEXTS    SELECTED 

having  spot  or  wrinkle,  oJ-  any  such  thing ;  but  that  it  should 
be  holy  and  without  blemish. 

Heb.  xii.  14.  Holiness,  without  which  no  man  shall  see  the 
Lord. 

Col.  i.  12.  Giving  thanks  Unto  the  Fathef ,  which  hath  made 
us  meet  to  be  partakers  of  the  inheritance  of  the  saints  in  lights 

12.— DEVOTEDNESS  TO  GOD. 

1  Cor.  vi.  20.  Ye  are  bought  with  a  price,  therefore  glorify 
God  in  your  body  and  in  your  spirit,  which  are  God's. 

2  Cor.  V.  1.5.  He  died  for  all)  that  they  which  live  should 
not  henceforth  live  unto  themselves,  but  unto  him  which  died 

for  them. 

Rom.  xii.  1.  I  beseech  you  therefore,  brethren,  by  the  mer- 
cies of  God,  that  ye  present  your  bodies  a  living  sacrifice,  holy, 
acceptable  unto  God,  which  is  your  reasonable  service. 

Deut.  xvi.  16,  17.  They  shall  not  appear  before  the  Lord 
empty.  Every  man  shall  give  as  he  is  able,  according  to  the 
blessing  of  the  Lord  thy  God  v/hich  he  hath  given  thee. 

Titus  ii.  14.  Who  gave  himself  for  us  that  he  might  redeem 
us  from  all  iniquity,  and  purify  unto  himself  a  peculiar  people, 
zealous  of  good  works. 

1  Peter  i.  17-19.  Pass  the  time  of  your  sojourning  here 
with  fear ;  forasmuch  as  ye  know  that  ye  were  not  redeemed 
with  corruptible  things,  as  silver  and  gold,  from  your  vain  con^ 
versation,  received  by  tradition  from  your  fathers;  but  with 
the  precious  blood  of  Christ,  as  of  a  lamb  v^'ithout  blemish  and 
without  spot. 

1  John  i.  7.  If  we  walk  in  the  light,  as  he  is  in  the  light, 
we  have  fellowship  one  with  another ;  and  the  blood  of  Jesus 
Christ  his  Son  cleanseth  us  from  all  sin. 

13.— LOVE  TO  THE  BRETHREN. 

1  John  iv.  11.  Beloved,  if  God  so  loved  us,  we  ought  also  to 
love  one  another. 

John  xiii.  34.  A  new  commandment  I  give  unto  you.  That 
ye  love  one  another;  as  I  have  loved  you,  that  ye  also  love  one 
another. 

1  John  iii.  14.  We  know  that  we  have  passed  from  death 
unto  life,  because  we  love  the  brethren. 

G O 


G — O 

FOE    MEDITATION.  289 

Heb.  X.  24.  Let  us  consider  one  another,  to  provoke  unto 
love  and  good  works. 

Rom.  xii.  10.  Be  kindly  afFectioned  one  to  another,  with 
brotherly  love,  in  honour  preferring  one  another. 

1  Thess.  iv.  9.  Ye  yourselves  are  taught  of  God  to  love  one 
ano<^her. 

1  Thess.  iii.  12.  The  Lord  make  you  to  increase  and  abound 
in  love  one  toward  another,  and  towards  all  men. 

14.— COMMUNION  WITH  CHRIST. 

Cant.  ii.  3,  4.  I  sat  down  under  his  shadow  with  great  de- 
light, and  his  fruit  was  sweet  to  my  taste. 

He  brought  me  to  the  banqueting  house,  and  his  banner  over 
me  was  love. 

Cant.  ii.  16.     My  beloved  is  mine,  and  I  am  his. 

Luke  xxiv.  30,  31.  It  came  to  pass  as  he  sat  at  meat  with 
them,  he  took  bread  and  blessed  it,  and  brake,  and  gave  to 
them  ; 

And  their  eyes  were  opened,  and  they  knew  him ;  and  he 
vanished  out  of  their  sight. 

Luke  xxiv.  32.  And  they  said  one  to  another.  Did  not  our 
heart  burn  within  us,  while  he  talked  with  us  by  the  way,  and 
while  he  opened  to  us  the  Scriptures  1 

John  xiv.  21.  He  that  loveth  me  shall  be  loved  of  my 
Father,  and  I  will  love  him,  and  will  manifest  myself  unto  him. 

Phil.  i.  21.     For  to  me  to  live  is  Christ,  and  to  die  is  gain. 

Col.  ii.  6.  As  ye  have  therefore  received  Christ  Jesus  the 
Lord,  so  walk  ye  in  him. 

1  Cor.  i.  9.  God  is  faithful  by  whom  ye  were  called  unto 
the  Jellowship  of  his  Son  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

1  John  i.  3.  Truly  our  fellowship  is  with  the  Father,  and 
with  his  Son  Jesus  Christ. 

15.— THE  COMMUNION  OF  SAINTS. 

Ephes.  iv.  4-6.  There  is  one  body  and  one  Spirit,  even  as 
ye  are  called  in  one  hope  of  your  calling; 

One  Lord,  one  faith,  one  baptism ; 

One  God  and  Father  of  all,  who  is  above  all,  and  through  all, 
and  in  you  all. 

o 6 

25 


G _0 

290  TEXTS    SELECTED      • 

Phil.  ii.  1,2.  If  there  be  therefore  any  consolation  in  Christ, 
if  any  comfort  of  love,  if  any  fellowship  of  the  Spirit,  if  any 
bowels  and  mercies. 

Fulfil  ye  my  joy,  that  ye  be  like-minded,  having  the  same 
love,  being  of  one  accord,  of  one  mind. 

1  John  i.  2,  3.  The  life  was  manifested,  and  we  have  seen 
it,  and  bear  witness  and  show  unto  you  that  eternal  life  which 
was  with  the  Father,  and  was  manifested  unto  us; 

That  which  we  have  seen  and  heard,  declare  we  unto  you, 
that  ye  also  may  have  fellowship  with  us. 

Eph.  ii.  19,  20.  Now  therefore  ye  are  no  more  strangers  and 
foreigners,  but  fellow-citizens  with  the  saints  and  of  the  house- 
hold of  God  ; 

And  are  built  upon  the  foundation  of  the  Apostles  and  Pro- 
phets, Jesus  Christ  himself  being  the  chief  corner  stone. 

1  Cor.  xii.  25-27.  The  members  should  have  the  same  care 
one  for  another. 

And  whether  one  member  suffer,  all  the  members  suffer  with 
it;  or  one  member  be  honoured,  all  the  members  rejoice 
with  it. 

Now  ye  are  the  body  of  Christ,  and  members  in  particular. 

16— MORTIFICATION  OF  SIN. 

Gal.  v.  24.  They  that  are  Christ's  have  crucified  the  flesh, 
with  the  affections  and  lusts. 

Rom.  vi.  5,  6.  If  we  have  been  planted  together  in  the  like- 
ness of  his  death,  we  shall  be  also  in  the  likeness  of  his  re- 
surrection; knowing  this,  that  our  old  man  is  crucified  with 
him,  that  the  body  of  sin  might  be  destroyed,  that  henceforth 
we  should  not  serve  sin. 

Gal.  ii.  20.  I  am  crucified  with  Christ:  nevertheless  I  live ; 
yet  not  I,  but  Christ  liveth  in  me. 

Rom.  vi.  10,  11.  In  that  he  died, he  died  unto  sin  once;  but 
in  that  he  liveth,  he  liveth  unto  God. 

Likewise  reckon  ye  also  yourselves  to  be  dead  indeed  unto 
sin,  but  alive  unto  God,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

t^/^m.  V'ii.  13.  If  ye,  through  the  Spirit,  do  mortify  the  deeds 
of  the  boay,  j'?  snail  live. 

Col.  iii.  3-5.  For  ye  are  dead,  and  your  life  is  hid  with 
Christ  in  God 

O — O 


0 __0 

FOR   MEDITATION.  291 

When  Christ  who  is  our  life  shall  appear,  then  shall  ye  also 
appear  with  him  in  glory. 
Mortify  therefore  your  members  which  are  upon  the  earth. 

17.— STRENGTH  ACCORDING  TO  OUR  NECESSITY. 

Deut.  xxxiii.  25.     As  thy  days,  so  shall  thy  strength  be. 

Phil.  iv.  13.  I  can  do  all  things  through  Christ  which 
strengtheneth  me. 

Isaiah  xliii.  1,  2.  Fear  not,  for  I  have  redeemed  theCj 
and  formed  thee ;  I  have  called  thee  by  thy  name ;  thou  art 
mine. 

When  thou  passest  through  the  waters,  I  will  be  with  thee ; 
and  through  the  rivers,  they  shall  not  overflow  thee :  when 
thou  walkest  through  the  fire,  thou  shalt  not  be  burned ;  neither 
shall  the  flame  kindle  upon  thee. 

2  Tim.  i.  12.  I  know  whom  I  have  believed,  and  am  per- 
suaded that  he  is  able  to  keep  that  which  I  have  committed 
unto  him  against  that  day. 

Heb.  iv.  16.  Let  us  therefore  come  boldly  unto  the  throne  of 
grace,  that  we  may  obtain  mercy,  and  find  grace  to  help  in  time 
of  need. 

18.— VICTORY  OVER  TEMPTATION. 

1  John  V.  4, 5.  This  is  the  victory  that  overcometh  the  world, 
even  our  faith.  Who  is  he  that  overcometh  the  world,  but  he 
that  believeth  that  Jesus  is  the  Son  of  God  1 

1  Cor.  X.  13.  God  is  faithful,  who  will  not  suffer  you  to  be 
tempted  above  what  ye  are  able  to  bear,  but  will  with  the 
temptation  also  make  a  way  to  escape,  that  ye  may  be  able  to 
bear  it. 

James  i.  12.  Blessed  is  the  man  that  endureth  temptation: 
for  when  he  is  tried  he  shall  receive  the  crown  of  life,  which 
the  Lord  hath  promised  to  them  that  love  him. 

Heb.  ii.  18.  In  that  he  himself  hath  suffered,  being  tempted, 
he  is  able  to  succour  them  that  are  tempted. 

Rom.  xvi.  20.  The  God  of  peace  shall  bruise  Satan  under 
your  feet  shortly. 

1  Cor.  XV.  57.  Thanks  be  to  God  which  giveth  us  the  vi  '-tory , 
through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  ( 

O , ^ 


0 .. _ , ^Q 

292  TEXTS    SELECTED    FOR    MEDITATION. 

Matt.  xii.  20,  21.  A  bruised  reed  shall  he  not  break,  and 
smoking  flax  shall  he  not  quench,  till  he  send  forth  judgment 
unto  victory. 

And  in  his  name  shall  the  Gentiles  trust. 

19.— ETERNAL  LIFE. 

Rom.  vi.  23.  The  gift  of  God  is  eternal  life  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord. 

John  vi.  51.  I  am  the  living  bread  which  came  down  from 
heaven;  if  any  man  eat  of  this  bread,  he  shall  live  for  ever. 

John  xvii.  3.  This  is  life  eternal,  that  they  might  know  thee 
the  only  true  God,  and  Jesus  Christ  whom  thou  hast  sent. 

John  xvii.  24.  Father,  I  will  that  they  also,  whom  thou  hast 
given  me,  be  with  me  where  I  am,  that  Vhey  may  behold  my 
glory  which  thou  hast  given  me. 

1  Thess.  V.  10.  Christ  died  for  us,  that  whether  we  wake  or 
sleep,  we  should  live  together  with  him. 

Rev.  vii.  15-17.  They  are  before  the  throne  of  God,  and 
serve  him  day  and  night  in  his  temple;  and  he  that  sitteth  on 
the  throne  shall  dwell  among  them,  they  shall  hunger  no  more, 
neither  thirst  any  more,  neither  shall  the  sun  light  on  them, 
nor  any  heat.  For  the  Lamb  which  is  in  the  midst  of  the 
throne  shall  feed  them,  and  shall  lead  them  unto  living  foun- 
tains of  waters,  and  God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears  from  their 
eyes. 

Rev.  xxii.  3,  5.  There  shall  be  no  more  curse;  but  the 
throne  of  God  and  of  the  Lamb  shall  be  in  it,  and  his  servants 
shall  serve  him.  And  they  shall  see  his  face,  and  his  name 
shall  be  in  their  foreheads.  And  there  shall  be  no  night  there  ; 
and  they  need  no  candle,  neither  light  of  the  sun ;  for  the  Lord 
God  giveth  them  light,  and  they  shall  reign  for  ever  and  ever. 


o 


CHAPTER  IX. 

MEDITATIONS    AND    PRAYERS    AFTER    RECEH     "^G. 

Some  hints  are  given,  (see  chap.  x.  part  ii.)  to  as- 
sist the  reader  in  a  practical  improvement  of  this  ordi- 
nance ;  the  following  meditations  and  prayers  are 
added,  to  help  him  in  his  retired  devotion. 

WHEN    THE    ORDINANCE    HAS   BEEN    REFRESHING. 

1  Thess.  V.  18.  In  every  thing  give  thanks. 

Thanks,  more  than  I  can  express,  be  unto  God,  my 
Father,  for  his  inestimable  mercy  in  Christ  Jesus. 
O  my  soul,  thou  hast  abundant  cause  to  bless  the 
Lord !  See  thyself  once  an  apostate  rebel,  without 
God,  without  Christ,  and  having  no  hope.  But  now 
see  thv  God,  not  only  allowing,  but  inviting,  and  him- 
self inclining  thee  to  return.  See  him  not  only  par- 
doning, but  accepting  and  justifying  thee.  He  treats 
thee,  too,  not  as  a  servant,  but  as  a  child.  He  feeds 
thee  at  the  table,  when  thou  dost  not  deserve  with  the 
dogs  to  pick  up  the  crumbs  that  fall  from  it.  Nay,  see 
the  Father  of  mercies  running,  as  it  were,  to  embrace 
thee,  and  to  give  tokens  of  reconciliation  and  love ; 
and  filling  thee  with  holy  desires  and  heavenly  affec- 
tions. 

And,  as  if  all  this  were  a  small  matter,  he  has  told 
thee  of  all  things  yet  to  come,  even  for  ever  and  ever. 

6 o 

25* 


— _ o 

294  MEDITATIONS    AND   PRAYERS 

In  these  things  he  has  given  thee  a  pledge  of  eternal 
favour  and  love. 

And  may  I  then  hope  that  I  am  "a  member  of 
Christ,  a  child  of  God,  and  an  inheritor  of  the  king- 
dom of  heaven  ? "  O  thanks  be  unto  God  for  his 
unspeakable  gift  ?  Only  add,  O  Lord,  this  additional 
benefit,  more  grace  to  love  thee,  and  to  serve  thee, 
till  I  come  to  see  thee  as  thou  art,  and  know  as  I  am 
known. 

Yet  I  have  also  to  consider  myself  still  as  on  the 
dangerous  ocean,  with  a  stormy  tempest  hovering 
around  me  ;  and  I  pray  that  I  may  ever  fix  my  hope, 
as  well  as  my  heart,  on  him  who  alone  is  mighty  to 
save.  I  must  view  myself  as  still  in  the  midst  of  the 
barren  wilderness,  having  gained,  however,  for  a  mo- 
ment, a  a;limpse  of  my  native  home ;  and  I  ardently 
beseech  my  Guide  and  my  Defender,  that  in  the 
strength  of  this  1  may  be  enabled  to  go  on  my  way 
rejoicing. 

What  then  shall  I  render  unto  the  Lord  who  has 
heard  my  prayers  ?  /  will  pay  my  vows  in  the  presence 
of  all  his  people.  O  God  of  my  salvation,  I  have  given 
myself  to  thee.  Help  me  now,  I  beseech  thee,  to  de- 
vote, day  by  day,  all  my  possessions,  and  influence, 
and  time,  and  abilities,  to  the  service  of  Him  who  has 
bought  me  with  a  price,  and  blessed  me  with  a  hope 
full  of  immortality.  And  seeing  that  Jesus  is  the 
spring  of  all  my  joys,  may  I  ever  count  all  things  but 
loss  for  the  excellency  of  the  knowledge  of  Christ  Je- 
sus my  Lord. 

Canticles  ii.  3.    I  sat  down  under  his  shadoio  with  great 
delight,  and  his  fruit  was  sweet  to  my  taste. 

How  good  and  gracious  is  God,  who  has  heard  my 

) O 


o o 

AFTER    RECEIVING.  295 

prayers,  and  given  me  communion  with  him,  and  com- 
fort  at  his  table.  My  thoughts  were  less  wandering 
in  the  previous  prayers,  and  more  intent  at  the  time  of 
receiving.  He  enabled  me  to  think  on  him  who  was 
wounded  for  us,  with  much  love  and  joy  ;  and  my 
heart,  filled  with  love  to  others,  longed  for  their  salva- 
tion and  their  spiritual  welfare.  How  refreshing  is  it, 
when  receiving  the  bread,  to  be  encouraged  to  feed  on 
Christ  by  faith  with  thanksgiving ;  and  to  have  an 
humble  hope  that  I  have  received  the  inestimable 
benefits  procured  by  his  death,  the  pardon  of  all  my 
sins,  an  interest  in  the  promises  of  God,  an  assurance 
of  his  love,  and  a  strengthened  hope  of  immortal  hap- 
piness !  What  cause  is  there  here  for  liveliest  praise ! 
O  my  soul,  and  all  that  is  within  me,  bless  the  Lord ! 
Thou,  even  thou,  mayest  yet  hope  to  reach  the  celes- 
tial heights,  and  to  join  the  song  of  the  blessed  above, 
in  ascribing  to  thy  God  and  Saviour,  honour  and  glory, 
for  ever  and  ever.     Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul. 

And  now  that  I  am  retired  from  the  heavenly  ban- 
quet, I  would  earnestly  pray  to  thee  to  grant  that  what 
has  passed,  may  strengthen  and  refresh  me  to  fight  the 
arduous  battle,  and  to  resist  the  many  and  mighty  ene- 
mies within  and  without,  that  would  destroy  my  soul. 
Let  me  think  of  the  glorious  crown  for  which  I  am 
contending,  and  remember  that  it  is  worth  every  sacri- 
fice.    Let  the  joy  of  the  Lord  be  my  strength. 

Psalm  Ixiii.  3.     Because  thy  loving-kindness  is  letter 
than  life  itself,  my  lips  shall  praise  thee. 

"  How  blessed  an  institution  is  this,  O  my  adorable 
Saviour!     What  could  have  been  fiund  out  compara- 
ble to  it  to  q'lickcn  us  to  lioliness!     Hov/  docs  it  en- 
tertain our  minds,  and  fill  our  souls?     Like  the  disci- 
G— — — O 


O- , 

296  MEDITATIONS    AND   PRAYERS 

pies  going  to  Emmaus,  our  hearts  burn  within  us,  and 
are  full  of  amazing  wonder  at  thy  rich  mercy.  Before 
I  come  to  thy  holy  table,  trifles  divert  my  mind  and 
engage  my  thoughts ;  but  when  I  come  from  thence, 
my  heart  is  all  joy  and  wonder,  all  adoration  and 
praise  ;  all  sacrifice  and  resignation  ;  courage  and  re- 
solution. How  is  my  Saviour  to  be  adored  for  this 
wise  and  gracious  institution,  and  who  has  provided  so 
effectually  for  his  faithful  servants  to  the  world's  end  ! 
Be  thou  ever  adored,  O  merciful  Jesus,  my  God,  and 
my  Lord,  for  thy  wonderful  designs  of  love  and  mercy 
to  the  sons  of  men  !    Amen. "  * 

John  xiv.  27.    My  peace  I  give  unto  you, 

I  have  reason  to  be  very  grateful  for  the  goodness  of 
my  heavenly  Father  in  the  past  Sacrament.     Though 
I  did  not  feel  any  peculiar  joy,  yet  I  felt  a  calm  spirit 
of  recollection,  which  was  very  refreshing.     Before  I 
went  to  the  table,  several  passages  of  Scripture  en- 
gaged my  attention,  raised  my  heart  to  God,  and  ex- 
panded it   so  in  love  to  my  fellow-creatures,  that  I 
could  not  but  plead  earnestly  for  them  as  well  as  for 
myself.    Though  less  composed  in  the  act  of  receiving, 
yet  when  I  thought  on  those  words,  "  His  body  given 
for  thee,"  "His  blood  shed  for  thee,"  my  heart  was 
melted  within  me  to  some  degree  of  tenderness  and 
love.    In  bis  love  and  in  his  pity  he  has  redeemed  me. 
Surely  nothing  but  pity  and  love  could  induce  the  Lord 
to  seek  and  to  save  my  soul. 

This  calm  and  devout  spirit  has  been  in  a  good 
measure  maintained  since  the  ordinance.  O  how  dif- 
ferent  from  formal  services,  and  how  refreshino-  are 


*  Bonnell. 


-o 


G— . ^ ^0 

AFTER    RECEIVING.  297 

those  prayers  in  which  our  hearts  are  really  lifted  up 
to  God,  in  the  full  conviction  that  he  sees  and  hears 
us.  Lord,  let  the  view  of  the  cross  of  Christ,  ever  fill 
my  soul  with  this  happy  peace,  with  holy  love,  and 
with  heavenly  joy. 

Phil.  iv.  4.     Rejoice  in  the  Lord. 

I  would  indeed  contemplate  and  admire  thy  wonder- 
ful grace,  the  multitude  of  thy  tender  mercies,  and 
thy  abounding  goodness,  till  my  heart  is  filled  with  joy 
in  thee.  How  greatly  have  I  partaken  of  these  mer- 
cies !  That  such  a  miserable  sinner  as  I  have  been, 
and  still  am,  should  be  admitted  to  the  glorious  hope 
of  the  Gospel ;  that  my  sins  may  be  pardoned  and  re- 
membered no  more  ;  that  I  should  be  welcomed  at  the 
table  of  the  Lord,  and  the  dear  society  of  his  servants, 
and  there  again  feel  and  enjoy  the  blessedness  of 
Christian  hope,  and  peace,  and  joy  :  these  things  call 
for  unfeigned  gratitude.  O  my  soul,  is  it  then  pos- 
sible !  mayest  thou  reasonably  expect  yet  to  have  and 
see  the  happier  days,  yet  to  enjoy  the  brighter  and  se- 
rener  sky  than  ever  was  manifested  here  below,  in 
those  blessed  regions  where  sins  shall  not  harass, 
nor  temptations  afflict ;  where  the  wicked  cease  from 
troubling,  and  the  weary  are  at  rest  ?  and  wilt  thou 
not  love  him  who  has  procured  this  hope  for  thee  ? 
Surely  none  in  the  heavenly  mansions  will  have  to 
sing  a  louder  or  more  grateful  song  of  praise  ! 

O  that  I  might  never  again  sin  against  my  heavenly 
Father;  never  offend  my  compassionate  Saviour; 
never  grieve  my  best  comforter,  the  Holy  Spirit ;  ne- 
ver dishonour  my  holy  vocation,  nor  walk  unworthy 
of  that  name  wherewith  I  am  called. 


O _^o 


, . — — ._— ^ (5 

298  MEDITATIONS   AND   PRAYERS 

WHEN    OUR    MINDS    HAVE    BEEN   WANDERING. 

Job  xxiii.  3.     O  that  I  knew  where  I  might  Jiiid  him  f 

My  heart  was  cold  and  distracted,  unaffected,  and 
absent,  during  the  communion  this  day.  Worldly 
thoughts  crept  in  ;  and  I  seemed  to  gain  no  blessing, 
no  lively  views  of  Christ  and  his  love,  of  sin  and  its 
guilt,  and  of  holiness  and  its  excellence.  Lord,  I 
humble  myself  before  thee.  Pardon  whatever  it  was 
that  was  wrong  in  me,  that  occasioned  the  loss  of  thy 
manifested  presence  and  favour.  I  deserve  nothing 
from  thee  of  good,  and  my  many  sins  may  well  be 
visited  not  only  with  these,  but  with  much  heavier 
marks  of  thy  displeasure.  But,  O  Lord,  remember 
thy  mercies  of  old.  Forsake  me  not  utterly.  Restore 
unto  me  the  comfort  of  thy  presence,  and  the  joy  of 
thy  salvation. 

Yet  let  me  never  be  discouraged,  by  apparent  re- 
bukes, from  seeking  the  blessing  of  God  in  all  the 
appointed  means  of  grace.  They  that  seek  shall  Jindy 
is  his  promise  and  my  hope.  And  I  believe,  and  am 
sure,  that  he  deals  with  me  both  as  a  wise  and  tender 
Father,  in  what  he  withholds  as  well  as  in  what  he 
gives.  Teach  me  thy  way,  O  Lord,  I  will  walk  in  thy 
truth  ;  unite  my  heart  to  fear  thy  name. 

Micah  vii.  18,  19.  Who  is  a  God  like  unto  thee,  that 
pardoneth  iniquity,  and  passeth  by  the  transgression 
of  the  remnant  of  his  heritage.  He  will  subdue 
our  iniquities,  and  thou  wilt  cast  all  their  sins  into 
the  depths  of  the  sea. 

Though  I  have  had  but  little  sense  of  the  Divine 
Presence  at  the  Lord's  table,  and  came  from  it  hum- 
CD O 


0 o 

AFTER    RECEIVING.  299 

bled  and  depressed  ;  yet  passages  of  Scripture  like 
this,  are  very  supporting  and  consoling  to  my  anxious 
heart.  They  are  just  what  I  want  every  day.  What 
I  daily  see  of  my  own  sinfulness  and  guilt,  and  my 
continual  tendencies  to  evil,  do  give  me  an  abasing 
and  depressing  view  of  my  corruption.  Did  I  not 
know  what  the  Bible  says  of  the  general  wickedness 
of  fallen  man^  I  should  be  ready  to  say  it  was  impos- 
sible that  there  could  be  an  individual,  favoured  as  I 
have  been,  so  guilty  as  I  am.  Pride,  covetousness, 
and  sensuality,  (the  threefold  enemy  of  the  Christian,) 
have  by  turns  tempted,  assailed,  and  wounded  me. 
Where  can  I  fly,  O  Jesus  !  where,  but  to  thee  ?  In  thy 
wounds  I  hide  me.  At  thy  cross  I  shelter  me.  There 
iniquity  is  pardoned ;  there  the  transgression  of  the 
remnant  of  thy  heritage  is  passed  by. 

But  now,  O  God,  my  Saviour,  I  entreat  thee,  subdue 
my  iniquities.  Only  thine  almighty  arm  can  van- 
quish them.  I  look  to  thee  for  victory.  Fight  for  me, 
fight  in  me ;  that  I  may  be  more  than  conqueror, 
through  him  that  loved  me, 

THE    LOVE    OF    GOD    IN    CHRIST. 

1  John  iii.  1.    Behold,  what  manner  of  love  the  Father 
hath  bestowed  upon  us. 

What  a  display  of  divine  love  has  this  ordinance 
brought  before  me  !  God  not  sparing  his  own  Son — 
Jesus  dying,  and  when  about  to  die,  thinking  of  us, 
and  leaving  this  institution  for  the  perpetual  comfort- 
ing of  his  people  !  Indeed,  nothing  that  ever  struck 
man  with  surprise  and  wonder  is  so  amazing,  however 
it  may  be  unnoticed  or  slighted,  as  the  divine  love. 
That  Jesus  Christ,  the  only  Son  of  God  and  the  Cre- 


O- 


-O 


o 1 

300  MEDITATIONS    AND   PRAYERS 

ator  of  all  worlds,  once  died  for  sinners,  is,  to  the  soul 
enlightened  to  see  the  truth  of  things,  and  conscious 
of  its  own  state,  the  most  stupendous,  cheering,  and 
enlivening  truth  that  ever  gladdened  man's  heart.     I 
seem  to  get  new  views  of  it  when  I  weep  in   prayer 
over  my  sinful  and  vile  heart,  and  then  turn   to  the 
hope  set  before  me  in  his  death,  as  exhibited   at  his 
table.       Free    justification    by   the    grace    of    God, 
through    his    redemption,   and    sanctification    by  his 
Spirit,   are   doctrines    which    I    every  day    need    for 
refuge,  consolation,  and  support.     Free  love,  love  be- 
stowed, given  to  us,  us  as  sinners,  and  that  every  day 
— here  is  my  hope.     For  however  I  may  by  the  grace 
of  God  be  kept  from  what  man  calls  sin,  yet  the  con- 
tinual proneness  of  my  heart  to  wander,  the  way  in 
which  I  tread  on  the  borders  of  what  is  unlawful,  and 
the  workings  of  sinful  affections  within,  compel  me  to 
declare,    my  heart  is  deceifftil  aiove  all  things,  and 
desperately  ivicked.     O  Saviour  of  sinners,  cleanse  and 
purify  me.     Give   rne  the  new  heart.     Let  thy  life- 
giving    food    revive  me,   and   the  fountain  of   living 
waters,  opened  through  thy  merit,  refresh  me. 

Psalm  ciii.  1.  Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul;  and  all  that 
is  imthin  me,  hless  his  holy  name. 

Who  can  utter  the  mighty  acts  of  the  Lord  ?  who 
can  show  forth  all  his  praise?  From  all  eternity 
thou  didst  mercifully  foresee  man's  misery,  and  con- 
trived a  remedy  for  it :  thou  providest  a  surety  for  him 
before  the  debt  was  contracted,  and  a  Saviour  before 
he  was  lost.  Thy  righteous  wrath  soon  broke  out 
against  the  angels  that  fell,  and  presently  condemned 
them  to  everlasting  chains  of  darkness  ;  but  long  hast 
thou  waited  on,  yea  followed  me  with  mercy,  and  that 

o o 


0 — • — -^ 

AFTER    RECEIVING.  301 

even  after  I  had  many  times  undervalued  and  tram- 
pled  upon  the  greatest  gift  and  richest  jewel  of  heaven 
— =Jesus  Christ. 

Heavenly  Father,  though  I,  like  tU?  prodigal,  have 
left  my  Father's  house,  yet  on  my  return,  graciously 
own  me  again  for  thy  child.  I  am  poor  and  destitute, 
and  helpless  ;  but  in  thee  the  fatherless  findeth  mercy. 
Lord  help  me,  and  save  me  :  give  rrie  childlike  dispo- 
sitions towards  thee :  make  me  meek  and  humble, 
obedient  and  tractable,  affectionate,  and  full  of  regard 
to  thee,  my  heavenly  Father. 

Lord,  let  thy  Spirit  help  me  to  remember  my  solemn 
engagements.  I  have  been  giving  thee  fresh  promises 
for  thankfulness,  love,  and  obedience :  seeing  I  have 
no  strength  in  myself,  give  me  thy  powerful  grace,  O 
Christ  Jesus,  thou  rock  of  my  salvation,  that  I  may 
pay  my  vows,  and  that  my  obedience  may  be  univer- 
sal, cheerful,  constant,  and  growing  like  the  morning 
light.  May  I  now  be  going  on  from  strength  to 
strength,  fi'om  one  degree  of  grace  to  another ;  from 
one  evidence,  experience,  and  manifestation  to  an- 
other ;  till  at  length  I  appear  before  God  in  Sion.* 

Luke  xii.    32.  Fear  not  little    Hock,  for  it  is  your 
Father'' s  good  pleasure  to  give  you  the  kingdom. 

Jesus  commands  his  disciples  not  to  fear,  knowing 
how  ready  they  are  to  be  filled  with  anxious  cares 
and  distressing  apprehensions.  He  calls  them  his 
jiock,  his  property,  his  charge ;  for  he  guards  and  he 
feeds  them.  He  tells  them  God  is  i\\e\Y  father ;  and 
will  so  great  a  Father  see  his  children  perish?  He 
informs  them  there  is  a  kingdom  for  them,  holy,  glori- 


*  Altered  from  Willison. 
26 


O 


0 o 

302  MEDITATIONS   AND   PRAYERS 

ous,  and  eternal  :  and  he  suggests  that  it  is  bestowed 
with  good  pleasure,  gratuitously,  and  with  full  satis- 
faction and  complacency.  O  the  unspeakable  love 
of  God,  my  heavenly  Father,  towards  the  sinful  and 
rebellious ! 

1  charge  thee,  O  my  soul,  to  live  as  the  heir  of  such 
an  inheritance,  as  the  greatful  child  of  such  a  Father. 
Let  a  respect  to  the  recompense  of  reward,  raise  thee 
above  the  allurements  of  sin,  above  the  mere  concerns 
of  flesh  and  sense,  and  above  all  thy  anxieties,  sus- 
picions, and  fears.  Never  immoderately  grieve,  or 
even  be  uneasy,  if  thou  meetest  with  losses  and  dis- 
appointments, conflicts  and  sorrows.  Is  the  kingdom 
provided  for  thee  so  mean  and  inconsiderable,  that 
thou  shouldst  be  cast  down,  and  almost  ready  to  quar- 
rel with  Providence  because  thou  hast  not  such  full 
blessings  here  as  thou  wouldest  wish  ?  Shall  an  heir 
of  immortal  glory  distress  himself  with  fear  of  this  or 
the  other  evil,  which  may  never  happen,  or  may  not 
be  so  grievous  as  he  apprehended  ?  Can  any  thing 
happen  without  thy  Father  ?  Is  he  not  wise  in  all  he 
sends  ?  Mayest  thou  not  expect  such  supports  from 
thy  Father,  as  shall  make  thy  afflictions  comforts 
rather  than  crosses ;  and  such  improvement  in  reli- 
gion by  them,  as  shall  make  thee  thankful  for  them 
all  thy  days  ?  Ought  I  not,  sinful  as  I  am,  to  be  re- 
signed, without  a  large  share  of  earthly  or  even  spirit- 
ual comforts,  yea  to  be  joyful  in  tribulation,  with  such 
glory  in  reversion  ?  Cast  all  thy  care,  then,  on  him, 
for  he  careth  for  thee.* 

*  Altered  from  Orton 


o- o 


0^ -(t) 

AFTER    RECEIVING.  303 


John  xiii.  12.  Know  ye  what  I  have  done  lo  you  ? 

"  Was  it  love  in  Christ  that  he  washed  his  disciples' 
feet  ?  O,  what  love  to  wash  us  from  our  sins,  to 
wash  our  filthy  polluted  souls  !  The  former  was  with 
the  cheap  element  of  water;  the  latter  was  with 
blood — yes,  his  own  precious  blood.  And  having 
washed  us,  he  puts  that  question,  Know  ye  what  I  have 
done  to  you,  or  for  you  ?  Sit  down,  and  consider : 
pause  upon  it.  O  what,  indeed !  who  knows,  who 
can  say,  what  he  has  done  for  us  ?  To  commend  the 
love  of  Christ,  look  on  him  in  his  shining  robes,  with 
beams  of  glory ;  (Matt.  xvii.  2.)  when  his  face  did 
shine  as  the  sun,  and  his  raiment  was  white  as  the  light. 
And  then  look  on  him  in  the  garden,  and  on  the  cross. 
Compare  these  together.  It  is  the  same  glorious 
Jesus  !  In  the  one  you  see  sublime  glory  and  majes- 
ty ;  in  the  other,  deep  abasement  and  humiliation.  O, 
might  we  by  faith  see  him  in  the  depth  of  hi^  humilia- 
tion and  height  of  his  exaltation,  as  white  and,  ruddy, 
what  a  glorious  sight  were  this  ?  The  vision  of  him 
is  the  happiness  of  the  innumerable  company  of 
angels  and  spirits,  and  just  men  made  perfect;  and 
to  see  and  enjoy  him  is  the  true  comfort  of  all  com- 
munion in  the  church  here  below.  Let  us  follow  him 
from  the  mount  of  Transfiguration,  to  the  mount  of 
Calvary.  He  took  the  same  disciples,  Peter,  James, 
and  John,  to  be  witnesses  both  of  his  glory  on  the 
mount,  and  of  his  agonies  in  the  garden,  (Matt.  xvii. 
1  ;  xxvi.  37.)  to  teach  us  closely  to  compare  who  he 
was,  and  what  he  suffered."* 

*  Beart's  Meditations,  p.  119,  120. 

o o 


304  MEDITATIONS   AND    PRAYERS 

1  Peter  i.  8*    JVJiom  having  not  seen,  ye  love. 

True  it  is  I  have  not  with  the  outward  sight  beheld 
my  Saviour ;  but  I  have  had  communion  with  him ;  I 
have  been  blessed  by  him  ;  and  thus,  with  full  con- 
viction, I  know  that  my  Redeemer  liveth.  And  when  I 
see  what  he  has  done,  and  is  doing,  and  will  do  for 
me,  I  cannot  but  love  him.  Surely,  even  this  day's 
experience  may  convince  me,  that  if  ever  I  had  the 
feeling  of  love.  I  feel  love  to  Jesus  Christ ;  to  him 
who  died  for  me,  who  has  recovered  me  from  hell, 
who  has  restored  to  me  peace  and  happiness  here,  and 
gained  for  me  heaven  hereafter.  The  grief  and 
burden  is  this — I  love  him  so  feebly,  and  am  so  little 
conformed  to  him.  O  Saviour!  how  little  of  thy  self- 
denial,  of  thy  patience,  of  thy  humility  and  deadness 
to  ihe  world  !  how  little  of  thy  faith,  and  prayer,  and 
zeal,  and  love,  have  I !  Give  me,  O  give  me  thy 
Spirit.  May  that  exhibition  of  thy  dying  love  which 
this  ordinance  has  just  presented  to  me,  touch,  and 
warm,  and  melt  my  soul,  and  fill  me  with  stronger 
and  more  ardent  attachment  to  thee  than  ever  I  have 
before  felt  or  enjoyed. 

1  John  iv.  19.      We  love  him,  because  he  first  loved  us. 

He  who  loves,  is  always  full  of  joy  :  he  runs,  he 
flies,  he  is  free,  and  nothing  can  restrain  him  when 
duty  calls.  He  gives  all,  he  possesses  all ;  because 
he  relies  on  that  only  Sovereign  Good,  from  whom  all 
blessings  proceed.  Love  thinks  nothing  a  trouble,  is 
never  fatigued  by  labour;  it  undertakes  what  is  be- 
yond its  natural  strength  ;  it  never  pleads  inability, 
because  nothing  is  impossible  to  it;  it  does  not  grow 
weary  in  great  undertakings ;  it  is  not  discouraged  by 
O O 


AFTER    RECEIVING.  305 

afflictions,  nor  cast  down  by  fear;  it  always  mounts 
upward  like  a  brisk  flame,  and  its  ardour  is  redoubled 
by  every  thing  that  is  opposed  to  quench  it. 

O  my  God !  inflame  me  with  love,  and  so  direct  my 
heart,  that  I  may  love  thee  perfectly.  Make  me  feel 
how  sweet  it  is  to  love  thee,  and  to  be  lost  in  thy  love. 
Let  my  soul  raise  itself  to  thee,  follow  and  possess 
thee  as  the  Well-beloved,  and  be  transported  with  affec- 
tion and  joy.  O  God  !  may  I  love  thee  more  than  my- 
self; may  1  love  for  thy  sake  only,  and  may  I  love  in 
thee  all  those  whom  T  love,  and  may  I  never  suflTer 
myself  to  love  the  creature  but  for  thy  sake.* 

John  xxi.  15.    Yea,  Lord,  thou  knowest  that  Hove  Ihee. 

Whatever  leads  thee,  O  my  soul !  to  think  on  Jesus 
and  his  love,  ought  to  be  dear  unto  thee.  Let  the 
cross  of  Christ  be  thy  principal  knowledge,  thy  great- 
est glory,  and  thy  continual  employment.  Thou 
shouldesl  determine  to  know  nothing  save  Jesus  Christ, 
and  him  crucified. 

My  Saviour  has  neither  set  bounds  to  my  desires, 
nor  to  his  sweet  communications.  I  will  seek  thee, 
therefore,  O  my  Saviour !  for  thou  art  he  whom  my 
soul  loveth.  I  will  set  thee  as  a  seal  upon  my  heart ; 
Oh  !  do  thou  continually  make  deeper  impressions  on 
it.  Take  courage,  my  soul,  and  love  Jesus  as  far  as 
is  possible  with  a  love  proportioned  to  his  own. 

We  did  not  love  Him  ;  but  he  first  loved  us.  His 
love  was  unwearied  ;  his  loving  cares,  his  tender  ex- 
hortations, his  gracious  and  kind  miracles,  were  far 
from  being  sufl^icient ;  it  was  necessary  for  him  to  shed 
his  blood,  nay,  all  of  it ;  and  should  not  this  precious 

*  Basnage 

6 o 

26* 


G O 

306  MEDITATIONS   AND   PRAYERS 

blood  produce  the  most  tender  emotions  within  us? 
Should  not  the  love  of  Christ  soften  our  hearts,  and 
give  rise  to  a  reciprocal  tenderness  ?  His  banner  over 
me,  saith  the  Spouse,  was  love,  (or  as  it  is  expressed  in 
a  French  translation,  the  dress  I  wear  is  love.)  It  is 
her  wedding  garment,  without  which  she  cannot  be 
admitted  to  the  wedding  feast.  Matt.  xxii.  11. 

0  my  Redeemer,  who  has  loved  me  so  much,  kindle 
in  me  more  and  more  the  divine  fire  of  thy  love. 
Then  will  neither  sufferings,  death,  nor  even  martyr- 
dom be  too  much  for  me  ;  then  shall  I  be  able  to  say 
to  thee,  "  Yea,  Lord!  thou  knowest  that  Hove  ihee.^'* 

THE    SPIRIT   OF    ADOPTION. 

2  Cor.  vi.  18.  And  I  will  he  a  father  unto  you,  and  ye 
shall  be  my  sons  and  daughters,  saith  the  Lord 
Almighty. 

1  have  often  kept  out  of  my  Father's  presence.  I 
have  often  forgotten  that  gracious  relation  in  which  I 
stand  to  him  in  Christ  Jesus,  the  first  born  of  many 
brethren.  I  have  indeed  been  an  undutiful,  perverse, 
rebellious  child ;  yet  still  a  child.  The  longing  after 
my  Father's  favour,  the  spirit  of  love  and  satisfaction, 
raising  me,  in  happy  moments,  to  joy  in  God  as  my 
God ;  the  spirit  of  submission  helping  me  to  say  in 
trials,  sorrows,  and  difficulties,  It  is  the  Lord  ;  and  the 
desire  after  his  presence,  in  the  means  of  grace,  and 
specially  at  his  table,  these  things  give  me  some  en- 
couragement to  hope,  that  I  am  now  a  son  of  God. 
1  John  iii.  2.  As  such  I  have  just  been  feeding  with 
his  family.  O  that  I  may  now  walk  worthy  of  my 
high  and  holy  relationship,  and  be  an  imitator  of  God 

*  Superville. 

Q_ O 


0- 


AFTER    RECEIVING 


307 


as  one  of  his  dear  children;  Eph.  v.  1.  O  that  I  may 
ever  have  filial  confidence  in,  and  filial  affection  and 
filial  reverence  towards  the  great  Jehovah  ;  that  while 
I  am  exalted  in  privilege,  I  may  have  some  correspond- 
ing attainments  in  piety,  humility,  and  holiness. 

"  By  these  holy  mysteries  God  assures  me  as  it  were 
of  his  faithfulness,  and  gives  me  the  children's  bread. 
He  here  treats  us  as  the  sons  and  daughters  of  the 
Lord  Almighty.  He  bestows  on  us  not  only  the  right, 
but  the  spirit  and  hope  of  children. " 

HOLY   RESOLUTIONS. 

Matt,  xxiii.  23.      The  weightier  matters  of  ike  law — 
judgment,  mercy,  and  faith. 

Gracious  Saviour,  let  me  never  neglect  these  things. 
In  thy  strength  I  purpose  to  be  strictly  just,  upright, 
and  conscientious  in  all  my  dealings  ;  never  to  use  for 
my  own  purpose  that  which  does  not  belong  to  me ; 
never  to  deceive  in  buying  or  selling ;  and  never  to 
speak  in  the  absence  of  another  anything  against  him 
contrary  to  the  rules  of  justice  and  charity  ;  nor  in 
their  presence,  add  to  the  natural  pride  and  vanity  of 
the  human  heart,  by  flattery. 

1  purpose  to  let  mercy  govern  all  my  conduct.  Not 
to  be  harsh  in  my  dealings  with  others,  not  to  be  scanty 
in  my  charities;  but  to  do  good  according  to  my  power, 
and  to  show  mercy  with  cheerfulness. 

I  purpose,  by  the  same  strength,  to  be  faithful  to 
all  my  engagements,  and  to  trust  in  thee  with  all  my 
heart.  Lord  I  believe  :  help  my  unbelief .  Let  me  have 
a  noble  and  generous  confidence  in  thy  word,  thy  care 
and  thy  love  ;  and  give  thee  glory  by  a  simple  and 
entire  dependance  on  thee. 


o- 


-o 


o 


308 


MEDITATIONS    AND   PRAYERS 


Thus  preserve  me  from  a  mere  scrupulosity  about 
smaller  things,  which  would  only  foster  self- righteous- 
ness ;  and  enable  me  never  to  neglect  the  weightier 
matters  of  thy  holy  law. 

RESIGNATION. 

Psalm  cxxxi.  2.    My  soul  is  even  as  a  weaned  child. 

This  is  the  design  of  my  Heavenly  Father  in  all 
the  afflictions,  losses,  and  disappointments  of  this  vain 
world  ; — that  I  may  see  its  emptiness  and  insufficiency, 
and  be  gradually  separated  from  it,  and  dead  to  it. 
But  O  what  a  wayw^ard,  prodigal  son,  the  Heavenly 
Father  has  in  me!  I  seem  only  to  live  near  to  him 
and  walk  closely  in  his  ways,  while  he  chastises  and 
humbles  me. 

Well,  then,  as  to  all  repining  thoughts  I  must  be 
dumb  before  him,  and  look  up  to  Jesus,  my  great 
Head,  in  whom  alone  I  can  be  accepted.  He  is  alto- 
gether lovely.  He  has  all-sufficient  erace.  I  would 
abide  in  him,  that  by  him  I  may  bear  fruit.  May  all 
crosses,  and  sorrows,  and  difficulties,  draw  me  to 
Christ;   and  then  all  will  be  gainful  and  profitable. 

And  O  how  soon  the  present  scene  is  over !  How 
little  in  that  awful  and  interminable  futurity,  and  that 
invisible  but  real  world  on  the  verge  of  which  I  stand 
— how  little  there,  can  the  honour  and  reputation,  the 
ease  and  profit,  or  the  distinguished  stations  of  this 
world,  avail  me.  The  rich  and  the  glorious  man  en- 
ters that  world  without  his  riches  or  glory :  When  he 
dieth  he  shall  carry  nothing  away  ;  his  glory  shall  not 
descend  after  him.  All  the  objects  of  human  ambition, 
apart  from  Christ  and  his  kingdom,  attained  in  their 
highest  degree,  will  only  aggravate  the  tremendous 


G- 


-O 


0 


AFTER    RECEIVING. 


309 


shame,  and  everlasting  contempt  that  shall  then  over- 
whelm the  guilty  soul.  Nor  need  we  be  covetous  of 
high  stations,  under  the  notion  of  doing  greater  good. 
Who  can  safely  be  anxious  after  even  stations  of  en- 
larged usefulness,  when  those  stations  bring  with  them 
not  merely  increased  means  of  doing  good  and  extend- 
ed opportunities  of  serving  Christ ;  but  also  increased 
cares  and  sorrows,  temptations  and  responsibility. 

DESIRES   AFTER   DIVINE    STRENGTH. 

Psalm  xvii.  5.     Hold  up  my  goings  in  thy  paths ^  that 
my  footsteps  slip  not. 

"  Blessed  Jesus,  the  author  and  finisher  of  our  faith, 
who  art  the  same  yesterday,  to-day,  and  for  ever ;  thou 
hast  given  spiritual  meat  to  them  that  fear  thee,  and  wilt 
ever  he  mindful  of  thy  covenant :  but  my  goodness  is  as 
a  morning  cloud  which  soon  passes,  and  my  devotion 
Jlies  like  a  shadow,  and  never  continues  in  one  stay.  O 
do  thou  establish  jne  with  thy  free  Spirit,  that  I  may  not 
so  easily  forfeit  my  comfort,  forget  my  duty,  and  break 
my  vows,  as  I  have  formerly  done.  How  unwearied 
art  thou,  gracious  Saviour,  in  doing  well  unto  me ! 
How  constant  is  thy  love  !  How  amiable  and  attrac- 
tive  are  thy  endless  mercies,  and  thy  varied  graces ! 
And  shall  I  be  so  ungrateful  to  thee,  and  so  cruel  to 
myself,  as  to  forsake  thee  and  my  own  happiness! 
Alas  ?  I  justly  suspect  my  own  weakness  ;  I  fear  the 
power  and  policy  of  my  enemies  ;  and  I  do  with  shame 
and  sorrow  call  to  mind  my  former  returns  to  folly. 
Therefore,  O  blessed  Redeemer  !  I  do  most  earnestly 
entreat  thee,  never  to  leave  me  to  myself.  I  beseech 
thee  to  give  me  constant  and  continual  supplies  of  thy 
grace,  that  I   may  be  able  to  perform  whatsoever  I 


o- 


O 


» o 

310  MEDITATIONS    AND   PRAYERS 

have  promised.  O  let  not  forgetfulness  or  indevotion 
seize  on  me  hereafter.  Let  me  hold  fast  that  which  I 
have,  and  daily  strive  to  gain  more  ;  and  finally  make 
me  faithful  unto  death ;  and  so  shall  I  receive  from 
thee  the  crown  of  life,  when  I  appear  before  thee  at 
the  last  day."* 

Rom.  vii.  19.    The  good  that  I  would,  I  do  not;  hut 
the  evil  which  I  would  not,  that  I  do. 

This  is  my  painful  experience  continually.  I 
easily  slip  into  evil.  I  climb  up  the  ascent  to  good 
with  difficulty.  The  desires  after  good  also  are  often 
dull  and  feeble ;  the  aversion  to  evil,  faint  and  ineffi- 
cient.    Lord,  quicken  me  for  thy  name's  sake. 

Lord  Jesus,  help  thou  me  to  take  up  my  cross  and 
follow  thee ;  all  blessings  come  in  faith  and  self- 
sacrifice  ;  all  evils  come  in  self-confidence  and  self- 
indulgence.  My  Saviour,  then,  grant  me  thy  grace, 
for  the  residue  of  my  days ;  be  it  many  years,  be  it 
one  year  or  be  it  but  the  present  day,  to  deny  my- 
self, and  live  to  him  who  has  redeemed  me  with  his 
blood,  feeling  my  own  weakness,  and  not  looking  to  a 
season  of  rest  below,  but  above  ;  not  calculating  on  a 
time  of  enjoyment  on  earth,  bat  preparing  for  it  in 
heaven. 

Help  me  also  to  maintain  to  the  end  the  conflict; 
looking  forward  to  that  crown  of  life  which  thou  hast 
promised  to  thy  faithful  soldiers. 

I  turn  to  thee,  thou  blessed  Redeemer.  I  turn  from 
myself  where  all  is  polluted  and  wretched,  to  that 
gracious  Saviour,  where  all  is  compassion,  and  love, 
and  tenderness ;  where  is  a  full  atonement  for  enemies 

*  Comber. 

^ 6 


.-^ . o 

AFTER    RECEIVING.  311 

and  rebels,  a  rich  provision  of  mercy  for  the  sinful,  a 
con^plete  salvation  for  the  lost.  O  Jesus  pity,  save, 
and  bless  my  soul.  Strengthen  me  for  every  duty 
that  lies  before  me.  In  nothing  can  I  claim  bless- 
ings, but  in  thy  free  promises  and  thy  full  redemp- 
tion. May  I  then  delight  in  thee,  and  walk  closely 
with  thee  every  day.  Draw  me,  and  I  will  run  after 
thee. 

PRAYER    AFTER    RECEIVING   THE    LORd's    SUPPER. 

Thanks  be  unto  thee,  Holy  Father,  Lord  God 
Almighty,  thanks  be  unto  thee  for  the  privilege  which 
thou  hast  given  me  of  uniting  with  thy  people,  to  com- 
memorate the  sacrifice  of  the  death  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  for  all  the  edification  and  comfort  thus 
given  to  me. 

O  that  this  ordinance  of  thine  own  appointment 
may  so  deeply  and  so  permanently  affect  my  heart, 
as  constantly  to  influence  my  future  life.  Let  the 
love  of  Christ  now  at  length  constrain  me  no  longer 
to  live  to  myself,  but  to  him  who  died  for  me. 

Pardon  all  in  this  service  that  was  not  right  before 
thee.  All  I  do  is  defiled  with  sin  ;  but  I  offer  every 
service  unto  thee  in  the  name  of  Jesus  alone.  I  bless 
thee  through  him,  for  whatever  thy  Spirit  enabled  me 
to  do  in  any  measure  agreeably  to  thy  holy  will.  But 
my  whole  trust  and  hope  is  in  the  sacrifice  of  Christ 
Jesus,  which  I  have  been  now  commemorating,  to 
atone  not  only  for  former  transgressions,  but  for  all 
the  defects  of  my  preparation,  and  for  all  my  failings 
even  at  this  solemn  feast.  Lord,  spare  me,  and  ac- 
j  cept  me  on  account  of  that  great  propitiation  for  the 
sins  of  the  vv^hole  world. 

O O 


o— 

312 


^O 


MEDITATIONS    AND    PRAYERS 


O  that  I  may  ever  remember  that  the  vows  of  the 
Lord  are  upon  me,  and  that  I  am  thine,  irrevocably 
thine ;  and  may  I  walk  from  day  to  day  as  becomes  a 
child  of  God,  and  an  heir  of  his  glory.  Keep  alive 
in  my  mind  a  constant  sense  of  my  weakness,  and  my 
entire  dependance  on  thy  grace.  May  I  now  go  forth 
to  my  duties  more  humbled  and  more  devoted,  more 
watchful  against  my  spiritual  enemies,  and  more 
determined  to  give  all  for  him  who  gave  up  his  life 
for  me. 

Give  unto  me,  I  pray  thee,  this  comfortable  evi- 
dence of  having  had  communion  with  Christ;  that  my 
faith  in  him  for  all  needful  supplies  in  my  way  to 
heaven  is  manifestly  strengthened  ;  that  I  have  the 
same  mind  that  was  in  him ;  have  become  like  him ; 
am  copying  his  example,  and  treading  in  his  steps. 
May  I  watch  over  my  motives  as  well  as  my  conduct; 
and  do  thou  deliver  me  from  improper  motives  in 
doing  outwardly  good  works.  May  I  also  find  in  my 
growing  experience  more  proofs  of  my  being  a  mem- 
ber of  the  mystical  body  of  Christ,  in  that  my  love 
to  those  that  belong  to  him  increases,  and  I  can  make 
larger  allowances  for  their  infirmities,  and  more 
readily  do  them  self-denying  services.  Nor  let  my 
love  stop  short  of  the  divine  pattern  of  Him  who  loved 
and  prayed  for  his  worst  enemies. 

O  Lord,  I  would  now,  in  the  fulness  of  my  heart, 
earnestly  pray  for  the  hallowing  of  thy  name,  the 
coming  of  thy  kingdom,  and  the  doing  of  thy  will  on 
earth  as  it  is  in  heaven.  And  O  grant  that,  till  the 
Lord  come,  his  table  may  be  crowded  with  believing 
and  joyful  guests.  O  when  shall  all  the  ends  of  the 
earth  look  to  Jesus  and  be  saved  !  Hasten  it  in  thy 
good  pleasure,  O    Lord ;    that  Christ  Jesus  may  be 


O- 


-o 


-o 


AFTER   RECEIVING. 


313 


known,  loved,  and  obeyed,  in  every  land,  and  the 
Lord's  name  be  praised  from  the  rising  of  the  sun  to 
the  going  down  of  the  same.  Thus  glorify  thy  great 
name,  fulfil  thy  gracious  promises,  and  let  thy  king- 
dom be  fully  established  through  Jesus  Christ,  our 
only  Redeemer.    Amen, 


G- 


-O 


27 


■0 


CHAPTER  X. 

PSALMS  AND  HTMNS,  SUITED  TO  THE  LORD'S  SUPPER. 

Our  Lord  and  his  disciples  closed  the  first  celebra- 
tion of  this  institution  by  singing  a  hymn.  We  read, 
When  they  had  sung  an  hymn,  they  went  out  into  the 
Mount  of  Olives.  It  is  probable  that  they  sung  some, 
if  not  all,  of  the  Psalms,  from  the  113th  to  the  118th, 
which  the  Jews  were  accustomed  to  sing  after  the 
Passover. 

As  in  attending  to  this  holy  and  delightful  exercise, 
we  are  only  copying  the  primitive  example  ;  and  as 
some  select,  and  suitable  Psalms  and  Hymns  may 
assist  our  devotion,  they  are  here  added  for  that  pur- 
pose. They  are  chiefly  on  subjects  directly  connect- 
ed with  the  different  chapters  of  this  Treatise, 


ur 


-O 


PSALMS  AND  HYMNS  FOR  THE    LORD's  SUPPER.     315 


I.— PREPARATORY. 


1. 


L.  M. 


My  Saviour !  is  thy  table  spread ! 
And  does  thy  cup  with  love  o'erflow  1 
Thither  be  all  thy  children  led. 
And  let  them  all  thy  goodness  know. 

Hail,  sacred  feast,  which  Jesus  makes ! 
Rich  banquet  of  his  flesh  and  blood ! 
Thrice  happy  he,  who  here  partakes 
That  sacred  stream,  that  heavenly  food ! 

Why  are  his  dainties  all  in  vain 
Before  unwilling  hearts  display'd'? 
Was  not  the  Lamb  for  sinners  slain  1 
Are  you  deny'd  the  children's  bread  1 

O  let  thy  table  honour'd  be, 
And  furnish'd  well  with  joyful  guests ; 
And  may  each  soul  salvation  see. 
That  here  its  sacred  pledges  tastes ! 

Revive  thy  dying  churches,  Lord, 
And  bid  our  drooping  graces  live ; 
And  all  that  energy  afford, 
A  Saviour'd  blood  alone  can  give. 


Doddridge. 


2. 


S.  M. 


O 


Jesus  invites  his  saints 
To  meet  around  his  board ; 
Here  pardon'd  sinners  sit  and  hold 
Communion  with  their  God. 

Here  we  survey  that  love 
Which  spoke  in  every  breath ; 
Which  crown'd  each  action  of  his  life, 
And  triumph'd  in  his  death. 


■o 


o- 


316  PSALMS    AND    HYMN^ 

Here  let  our  powers  unite. 
His  glorious  name  to  raise ; 
Pleasure  and  joy  fill  every  mind. 
And  every  voice  be  praise. 

And  while  we  share  the  gifts 
His  gracious  hands  bestow. 
Our  hearts,  by  Jesu's  love  inspir'd. 
With  kind  affections  glow. 


-0 


Watts. 


PSALM  116. 

Fon  mercies,  countless  as  the  sands, 

Which  daily  I  receive. 
From  Jesus  my  Redeemer's  hands. 

My  soul,  what  canst  thou  give  1 

Alas  !  from  such  a  heart  as  mine. 
What  can  I  bring  him  forth  1 

My  best  is  stain'd  and  dy'd  with  sin, 
My  all  is  nothing  worth! 

Yet  this  acknowledgment  I'll  make, 
For  all  he  has  bestow'd — 

Salvation's  sacred  cup  I'll  take. 
And  call  upon  my  God. 

The  best  returns  for  one  like  me. 
So  wretched  and  so  poor) 

Is  from  his  gifts  to  draw  a  plea, 
And  ask  him  still  for  more. 


C.  M. 


JVewton. 


o- 


PSALM  139.  CM. 

God  is  a  spirit,  just  and  wise. 

He  sees  our  inmost  mind: 
In  vain  to  heaven  we  raise  our  cries. 

And  leave  our  souls  behind. 

Lord  !  search  my  thoughts,  and  try  my  ways. 

And  make  my  soul  sincere; 
Then  shall  I  stand  before  thy  face. 

And  find  acceptance  there.  Watts. 


-G 


o — o 

SUITED   TO    THE    LORd's    SUPPER.  317 

PSALM  51.  L.  M. 

Bow'd  down  beneath  th'  oppressive  load 
Of  deep  transgression,  0  my  God, 
With  grief  and  conscious  shame  I  flee. 
Guilty  and  self-condemn'd,  to  thee. 

My  sins  and  sorrows  at  thy  feet 
I  spread,  before  thy  mercy-seat ; 
Mercy  my  suit,  mercy  my  cry; 
Thy  mercy  spares,  or  else  I  die. 

My  sin  is  great :  its  ceaseless  smart 
Pervades  and  pierces  through  my  heart; 
Wash  me,  0  God,  without,  within; 
0  cleanse  and  free  me  from  my  sin. 

3.  L.  M. 

0  Jesus  !  full  of  truth  and  grace. 
More  full  of  grace  than  I  of  sin ; 
Yet  once  again  I  seek  thy  face. 
Open  thine  arms  and  take  me  in. 

Thou  know'st  the  way  to  bring  me  back. 
My  fallen  spirit  to  restore : 
O,  for  thy  truth  and  mercy's  sake. 
Forgive,  and  bid  me  sia  no  more. 

The  stone  to  flesh,  0  Lorrl   convert; 
The  veil  of  sin  once  more  remove: 
Sprinkle  thy  blood  upon  my  heart. 
And  melt  it  by  thy  dying  love. 

Give  to  mine  eyes  refreshing  tears. 
And  kindle  my  relentings  now ; 
Fill  my  whole  soul  with  filial  fears, 
And  to  thy  yoke  my  spirit  bow. 


O G 

27* 


318 


PSALMS   AND   HYMNS 


-o 


4.  C.  M. 

How  condescending  and  how  kind. 

Was  God's  eternal  Son ! 
Our  misery  reach'd  his  heavenly  mind. 

And  pity  brought  him  down. 

This  was  compassion  like  a  God, 

That  when  the  Saviour  knew 
The  price  of  pardon  was  his  blood, 

His  pity  ne'er  withdrew. 

Now,  though  he  reigns  exalted  high. 

His  love  is  still  as  great: 
Well  he  remembers  Calvary; 

Nor  let  his  saints  forget. 

Here  let  our  hearts  begin  to  melt. 

While  we  his  death  record; 
And  with  our  joy  for  pardon'd  guilt. 

Mourn  that  we  pierc'd  the  Lord. 

Watts. 


i 


6- 


5.  C.  M. 

The  King  of  Heaven  his  table  spreads. 

And  dainties  crown  the  board ; 
Not  Paradise,  with  all  its  joys. 

Could  such  delight  Jifford. 

Pardon  and  peace  to  dying  men. 

And  endless  life  are  given. 
And  the  rich  blood  that  Jesus  shed. 

To  raise  the  soul  to  heaven. 

Millions  of  souls,  in  glory  now. 

Were  fed  and  feasted  here ; 
And  millions  more,  still  on  the  way. 

Around  the  board  appear. 

Yet  are  his  house  and  heart  so  large. 

That  millions  more  may  come; 
Nor  could  the  wide  o'erspreading  world 

O'erfill  the  spacious  room. 


-O 


1 

J 


G O 

SUITED    TO    THE    LORD's    SUPPER.  319  \ 

All  things  are  ready ;  come  away. 

Nor  weak  excuses  frame ; 
Crowd  to  your  places  at  the  feast. 

And  bless  the  founder's  name. 

6.  L.  M. 

Here  let  us  see  thy  face,  0  Lord, 
And  view  salvation  with  our  eyes; 
And  taste  and  feel  the  living  word. 
And  bread  descending  from  the  skies- 

Thou  hast  prepar'd  this  dying  Lamb 
Hast  set  his  blood  before  our  face. 
To  teach  the  terrors  of  thy  name. 
And  show  the  wonders  of  thy  grace- 
Jesus  !  our  light !  our  morning-star ! 
Shine  Thou  on  nations  yet  unknown;      ^ 
The  glory  of  thy  people  here. 
And  joy  of  spirits  near  thy  throne. 

7.  C.  M. 

And  did  the  Holy  and  the  Just, 

The  Sovereign  of  the  skies, 
Stoop  down  to  wretchedness  and  dust. 

That  guilty  v/orms  might  rise  1 

Yes ;  the  Redeemer  left  his  throne. 

His  radiant  throne  on  high ; 
Surprising  mercy  !  love  unknown ! 

To  suffer,  bleed,  and  die. 

He  took  the  dying  traitor's  place. 

And  suffered  in  his  stead ; 
For  man,  (0  miracle  of  grace  1) 

For  man  the  Saviour  bled ! 

Dear  Lord,  what  heav'nly  wonders  dwell 

In  thy  atoning  blood ! 
By  this  are  sinners  snatch'd  from  hell, 

And  rebels  brought  to  God. 

o— o 


-o 


320        ,  PSALMS    AND    HYMNS 

Jesus,  my  soul  adoring  bends 
To  love  so  full,  so  free  ; 

And  may  I  hope  that  love  extends 
Its  sacred  power  to  me. 

What  glad  returns  can  I  impart 

For  favours  so  divine  '? 
0  take  my  all — this  worthless  heart. 

And  make  it  wholly  thine. 


Steele. 


8. 


p.  M. 


Go  to  dark  Gethsemane, 

Ye  that  feel  the  tempter's  power  j 
Your  Redeemer's  conflict  see  : 
Watch  with  him  one  bitter  hour : 
Turn  not  from  his  griefs  away; 
Learn  from  him  to  watch  and  pray. 

See  him  at  the  judgment  hall, 

Beaten,  bound,  revil'd,  arraign'd; 
See  him  meekly  bearing  all ; 
Love  to  man  his  soul  sustain'd. 
Shun  not  suffering,  shame,  or  loss ; 
Learn  of  Christ  to  bear  the  cross. 

Calvary's  mournful  mountain  view; 

There  the  Lord  of  Glory  see, 
Made  a  sacrifice  for  you. 
Dying  on  th'  accursed  tree  : 
"  It  is  finish'd  !"  hear  him  cry : 
Trust  in  Christ,  and  learn  to  die. 

>., 
Early  to  the  tomb  repair^ 

Where  they  laid  his  breathless  clay  ; 
Angels  kept  their  vigils  there: 

Who  hath  taken  him  away  "? 
"  Christ  is  ris'n  !"  he  seeks  the  skies; 
Saviour !  teach  us  so  to  rise. 


I 


-o 


o — — — — — 0 

SUITED    TO    THE    LORd's    SUPPER.  321 

9.  8,  7,  4. 

Hark!  the  voice  of  love  and  mercy 

Sounds  aloud  from  Calvary ; 
See  the  rocks  are  rent  asunder; 

Darkness  veils  the  mid-day  sky  ; 
"  It  is  finish'd  !" 

Hear  the  dying  Saviour  cry. 

O  what  joy  to  helpless  sinners, 

These  triumphant  words  afford  ! 
Heavenly  blessings,  without  measure, 

Flow  to  us  through  Christ  the  Lord. 
"  It  is  finishM  V 

Saint3  his  dying  words  record. 

Tune  your  harps  anew,  ye  seraphs ! 

Strike  them  to  Emmanuel's  name; 
All  on  earth,  and  all  in  heaven. 

Join  the  triumph  to  proclaim — 
"  It  is  finished  !" 

Glory  to  the  bleeding  Lamb. 

10.  7's. 

Jesus  !  refuge  of  my  soul, 

Let  me  to  thy  bosom  fly, 
While  the  raging  billows  roll, 

While  the  tempest  still  is  high  ! 
Hide  me,  O  my  Saviour  I  hide. 

Till  the  storm  of  life  is  past; 
Safe  into  the  haven  guide ; 

0  receive  my  soul  at  last. 

Thou,  0  Christ,  art  all  I  want: 

All  in  all  in  thee  I  find :  ^ 

Raise  the  fallen^  cheer  the  faint. 

Heal  the  sick,  and  lead  the  blind. 
Just  and  holy  is  thy  name ; 

1  am  all  unrighteousness : 
Vile  and  full  of  sin  I  am  ; 

Thou  art  full  of  truth  and  grace. 

G O 


o- 


322  PSALMS   AND    HYMNS 

All  my  trust  on  tbee  is  stay'd 

All  my  help  from  thee  I  bring ; 
Govei'  my  defenceless  head 

With  the  shadow  of  thy  wing. 
Plenteous  grace  with  thee  is  foundj 

Grace  to  pardon  all  my  sin  ; 
Let  the  healing  streams  abound, 

Make  and  keep  me  pure  within. 


-© 


C.  Wesley. 


11.— AT  THE  SACRAMENT. 


6- 


11.  C.  M. 

And  are  we  now  brought  near  to  God, 

Who  once  at  distance  stood  1 
And,  to  effect  this  blessed  change, 

Did  Jesus  shed  his  blood  "? 

Oh  for  a  song  of  ardent  praise. 

To  bear  our  souls  above  ! 
What  should  allay  our  lively  hope^ 

Or  damp  our  flaming  love. 

Then  let  us  join  the  heavenly  choirs. 

To  praise  our  glorious  king ! 
Oh  may  that  love  which  spread  this  feast. 

Inspire  us  while  we  sing ! 

12.  L.  M. 

At  thy  command,  0  gracious  Lord, 
Here  we  attend  thy  dying  feast ; 
Thy  blood,  like  wine,  adorns  thy  board, 
And  thine  own  flesh  feeds  every  guest. 

Our  faith  adores  thy  bleeding  love, 
And  trusts  for  life  in  one  that  died  : 
We  hope  for  heavenly  crowns  above, 
From  a  Redeemer  crucified. 


-o 


O — — — o 

SUITED   TO    THE    LORD's    SUPPER.  323 

Let  the  vain  world  pronounce  it  shame^ 
And  fling  their  scandals  on  thy  cause ; 
We  come  to  boast  our  Saviour's  name, 
And  make  our  triumphs  in  his  cross. 

With  joy  we  tell  the  scoffing  age 
*'  He  that  was  dead,  has  left  his  tomb ! 
He  lives  above  your  utmost  rage, 
And  we  are  waiting  till  he  come." 

13.  C.  M. 

Lord,  at  thy  table  I  behold 

The  wonders  of  thy  grace. 
But  most  of  all  admire  that  I 
Should  find  a  welcome  place. 

What  strange  surprising  grace  is  this, 

That  one  so  lost  has  room ! 
Jesus  my  weary  soul  invites. 

And  freely  bids  me  come. 

Ye  saints  below  and  hosts  of  heav'ni 

Join  all  your  praising  powers ; 
No  theme  is  like  redeeming  love ; 

No  Saviour  is  like  our's> 

StenneU. 

14".  C.  M. 

This  de  in  remembrance  of  me.    Luke  xxii.  19. 
According  to  thy  gracious  word, 

In  meek  humility. 
This  will  I  do,  my  dying  Lord; 
I  will  remember  thee. 

Thy  body,  broken  for  my  sake. 

My  bread  from  heaven  shall  be ; 
Thy  testamental  cup  I  take, 

And  thus  remember  thee. 

Can  I  Gethsemane  forget  1 

Or  there  thy  conflict  see> 
Thine  agony,  and  bloody  sweat» 

And  not  remember  thee  1 

0-. Q 


/ 


o- 


-o 


324 


PSALMS    AND    HYMNS 

When  to  thy  cross  I  turn  my  eyes/ 

And  rest  on  Calvary, 
0  Lamb  of  God,  my  sacrifice! 

I  must  remember  thee- 

Remember  thee,  and  all  thy  pains, 

And  all  thy  love  to  me  ! 
Yes  1  while  a  pulse  or  breath  remains^ 

Will  I  remember  thee. 

And  when  these  failing  lips  grow  dumb, 

And  thought  and  memory  flee, 
When  thou  shalt  in  thy  kingdom  come, 

Jesus !  remember  me 

Montgomery. 


15. 


L.  M. 


1  Corinthians  x.  16. 

CoMMUisriON"  of  my  Saviour's  blood. 
In  him  to  have  my  lot  and  part ; 

To  prove  the  virtue  of  that  flood, 

Which  burst  on  Calvary  from  his  heart : 

To  feed  by  faith  on  Christ,  my  bread. 

His  body  broken  on  the  tree ; 
To  live  in  Him  ray  living  Head, 

Who  died  and  rose  again  for  me : 

Be  this  my  joy  and  comfort  here; 

This  pledge  of  future  glory  mine ! 
Jesus  !  in  spirit  now  appear. 

And  break  the  bread,  and  pour  the  wine. 

From  thy  dear  band  may  I  receive 
The  tokens  of  thy  dying  love : 

And  while  I  feast  on  earth,  believe 
That  I  shall  feast  with  thee  above. 

Ah !  then,  though  in  the  lowest  place. 
Thee  at  thy  table  could  I  meet, 

And  see  thee,  know  thee,  face  to  face, 
For  such  a  moment  death  were  sweet ! 


6- 


-0 


G ' _-_ Q 

I  SUITED    TO    THE    LORD's    SUPPER.  325 

What,  then,  will  their  fruition  be 

Who  meet  in  heaven  with  one  accord  1 

A  moment  1 — No  : — eternity  I 
They  are  for  ever  with  the  Lord. 

Montgomery. 

16.  Ts. 

Bread  of  heaven !  on  thee  we  feed, 
For  thy  flesh  is  meat  indeed ; 
Ever  let  our  souls  be  fed 
With  this  true  and  living  bread ! 

Vine  of  heaven  !  thy  blood  supplies 
This  blest  cup  of  sacrifice. 
Lord  !  thy  wounds  our  healing  give ; 
To  thy  cross  we  look  and  live. 

Day  by  day  with  strength  supplied, 
Through  the  life  of  him  who  died. 
Lord  of  life  !  oh  let  us  be 
Rooted,  grafted,  built  on  thee ! 

17.  L.  M. 

Now  let  our  faith  grow  strong,  and  rise 
And  view  our  Lord  in  all  his  love ; 
Look  back  to  hear  his  dying  cries. 
Then  mount  and  see  his  throne  above 

See  where  he  languish'd  on  the  cross ! 
Beneath  our  sins  he  groan'd  and  died : 
See  where  he  sits  to  plead  our  cause, 
By  his  Almighty  Father's  side  ! 

How  shall  we,  pardon'd  rebels,  show 
How  much  we  love  our  dying  Godi 
Lord!  here  we'd  banish  every  foe: 
We  hate  the  sins  which  cost  thy  blood. 

0 o 

28 


o- 


326 


PSALMS    AND    HYMNS 


L.  M. 


When  I  survey  thy  wond'rous  crosa. 
On  which  the  Prince  of  Glory  died, 

My  richest  gain  I  count  but  loss, 
And  pour  contempt  on  all  my  pride. 

Forbid  it,  Lord,  that  I  should  boast, 
Save  in  the  cross  of  Christ  my  God; 

All  the  vain  things  that  charm  me  most 
I  sacrifice  them  to  his  blood. 

See !  from  his  head,  his  hands,  his  feet^ 
Sorrow  and  love  flow  mingled  down: 

Did  e'er  such  love  and  sorrow  meet, 
Or  thorns  compose  so  rich  a  crown  1 

Were  the  whole  realm  of  nature  mine^ 
That  were  a  present  far  too  small  i 

Love  so  amazing,  so  divine. 
Demands  my  soul,  my  life,  my  all* 


Watts. 


19. 

Sweet  the  moments^  rich  in  blessing, 
Which  before  the  cross  I  spend  : 

Life,  and  health,  and  peace  possessing, 
From  the  sinner's  dying  Friend. 

Jesus  sought  me,  when  a  stranger^ 
Wand'ring  from  the  fold  of  God ; 

He,  to  rescue  me  from  danger, 
Interpos'd  his  precious  blood. 

Here  I'll  sit,  for  ever  viewing 
Mercy's  streams  in  streams  of  blood ; 

Precious  drops,  my  soul  bedevs^ing, 
Plead  and  claim  my  peace  with  God. 

0  to  grace  how  great  a  debtor 
Daily  I'm  constrain'd  to  be  ! 

Let  that  grace,  then,  Lord,  for  ever, 
Bind  my  roving  heart  to  thee. 


8-7. 


Batty. 


G- 


■O 


6 . ^ o 

SUITED   TO    THE    LORd's    SUPPER.  327  I 

20.  L.  M. 

How  blest  are  they,  who  still  abide, 
Close  shelter'd  by  thy  bleeding  side  ; 
Who  life  and  strength  from  thee  derive, 
And  by  thee  move,  and  in  thee  live. 

How  can  it  be,  thou  heavenly  King, 
That  thou  should'st  us  to  glory  bring, 
Make  slaves  the  partners  of  thy  throne, 
Deck'd  with  a  never-fading  crown  ? 

Hence  our  heart's  melt,  our  eyes  o'erflow; 
Our  words  are  lost,  nor  will  we  know. 
Nor  will  we  think  of  aught  beside, 
But  Jesus,  and  him  crucified. 

21.  Ts. 

Let  me  dwell  on  Golgotha, 
Weep,  and  love,  and  trust  in  thee  J 
Whilst  I  see  thee  on  the  tree, 
Weep,  and  bleed,  and  die  for  me  ! 

That  dear  blood  for  sinners  spilt, 
Shows  my  sin  in  all  its  guilt : 
Ah !  my  soul,  he  bore  thy  load : 
Thou  hast  slain  the  Lamb  of  God. 

Hark  !  his  dying  word,  "Forgive! 
Father,  let  the  sinner  live  ; 
Sinner,  wipe  thy  tears  away, 
I  thy  ransom  freely  pay." 

While  I  hear  this  grace  reveal'd. 
And  obtain  a  pardon  seal'd, 
All  my  soft  affections  move, 
Waken'd  by  the  force  of  love. 

Farewell,  World  !  thy  gold  is  dross. 
Now  I  see  the  bleeding  cross  ; 
Jesus  died  to  set  me  free. 
From  the  law,  and  sin,  and  thee : 
-0 


0 -— — CD 

328  PSALMS    AND   HYMNS 

He  has  dearly  bought  my  soul, 
Lord,  accept,  and  claim  the  whole ! 
To  thy  will  I  all  resign, 
Now  no  more  my  own,  but  thine. 

JVewten. 

22.  P.  M. 

Lamb  of  God,  whose  bleeding  love 

We  now  recall  to  mind; 
Send  the  answer  from  above, 

And  let  lis  mercy  find  ; 
Think  on  us,  who  think  on  thee. 

And  every  burden'd  soul  release  ; 
0  remember  Calvary, 

And  bid  us  go  in  peace. 

By  thine  agonizing  pain, 

And  bloody  sweat,  we  pray; 
By  Thy  dying  love  to  man, 

Take  all  our  sins  away: 
Burst  our  bonds,  and  set  us  free, 

From  all  iniquity  release; 
0  remember  Calvary, 

And  bid  us  go  in  peace. 

Through  thy  blood,  by  faith  applied, 

Let  sinners  pardon  feel; 
Speak  us  freely  justified. 

And  all  our  sickness  heal : 
By  thy  passion  on  the  tree, 

Let  all  our  griefs  and  troubles  cease; 

0  remember  Calvary, 

And  bid  us  go  in  peace. 

Wesley. 

23.  C.  M. 

From  Jesu's  side  a  fountain  flows, 

Of  water  and  of  blood. 
More  healing  than  Bethesda's  pool, 

Or  fam'd  Siloam's  flood. 

o -    — o 


1 


9 ^ o 

SUITED    TO    THE    LORd's    SUPPER.  329 

The  dying  thief  rejoic'd  to  see 

That  fuuntain  in  his  day; 
And  there  have  I,  though  vile  as  he, 

Wash'd  all  my  sins  away. 

Dear  dying  Lamb,  thy  precious  blood 

Shall  never  lose  its  power, 
Till  all  the  ransom'd  church  of  God 

Be  sav'd  to  sin  no  more. 

E'er  since  by  faith  I  saw  the  stream 

Thy  flowing  wounds  supply, 
Redeeming  love  has  been  my  theme. 

And  shall  be  till  I  die. 

Then,  in  a  nobler  sweeter  song, 

I'll  sing  thy  power  to  save : 
When  this  poor  lisping,  stamm'ring  tongue 
Lies  silent  in  the  grave. 

Lord,  I  believe  thou  hast  prepar'd 

(Unworthy  though  I  be) 
For  me,  a  blood-bought  free  reward — 

A  golden  harp  for  me  .' 

*Tis  strung,  and  tun'd  for  endless  years, 

And  formed  by  power  divine, 
To  sound  in  God  the  Father's  ears 
No  other  name  but  thine. 

Coivper. 

24.  %    8-7. 

Lamb  of  God  !  I  fall  before  thee. 

Humbly  trusting  in  thy  cross 
That  alone  be  all  my  glory. 

All  things  else  I  count  but  loss. 

Jesus  !  all  my  consolations 
Flow  from  thee,  thou  sov'reign  good! 

Hope,  and  love,  and  faith,  and  patience. 
All  were  purchas'd  by  thy  blood. 

Hart. 

o ^ 

28*  ^ 


0 — ^0 

330  PSALMS   AND   HYMNS 

25.  c.  M. 

With  joy  we  meditate  the  grace 

Of  our  High  Priest  above, 
His  heart  o'erflows  of  tenderness. 

His  bowels  melt  with  love. 

Touch'd  with  a  sympathy  within. 

He  knows  our  feeble  frame ; 
He  knows  what  sore  temptations  mean, 

For  he  has  felt  the  same. 

He  will  not  quench  the  smoking  flax, 

But  raise  it  to  a  flame ; 
The  bruised  reed  he  never  breaks, 

Nor  scorns  the  meanest  name. 

Then  let  our  humble  faith  address 

His  mercy  and  his  power 
We  shall  obtain  deliv'ring  grace 
In  each  distressful  hour. 

Watts. 

26.  rs. 

Now  begin  the  heavenly  theme 
Sing  aloud  in  Jesu's  name  ! 
Ye,  vs'ho  his  salvation  prove. 
Triumph  in  redeeming  love. 

Ye,  who  see  the  Father's  grace 
Beaming  in  the  Saviour's  face, 
As  to  Canaan  on  ye  move. 
Praise  and  bless  redeeming  love. 

Mourning  souls,  dry  up  your  tears. 
Banish  all  your  guilty  fears ; 
See  your  guilt  and  curse  remove, 
Cancell'd  by  redeeming  love. 

Welcome  all,  by  sin  opprest. 
Welcome  to  his  sacred  rest ; 
Nothing  brought  him  from  above — 
j  Nothing — but  redeeming  love. 

o — 


I 


SUITED    TO    THE    LORD's    SUPPER.  331 

When  his  Spirit  leads  us  home. 
When  We  to  his  glc'Vy  come, 
We  shall  all  the  fulness  prove. 
Of  our  Lord's  redeeming  love. 

27.  7's. 

Great  the  joy,  when  Christian's  meet ; 
Christian  fellowship,  how  sweet. 
When  (their  theme  of  praise  the  same) 
They  exalt  Jehovah's  name  ! 

Sing  we,  then,  eternal  love. 
Such  as  did  the  Father  move 
He  beheld  the  world  undone; 
Lov'd  the  world,  and  gave  his  Son. 

Sing  the  Son's  unbounded  love, 
How  he  left  the  realms  above ; 
Took  our  nature  and  our  place  ; 
Liv'd  and  died  to  save  our  race. 

Sing  we,  too,  the  Spirit's  love; 
With  our  stubborn  hearts  he  strove ; 
Chas'd  the  mists  of  sin  away; 
Turn'd  our  night  to  glorious  day. 

Great  the  joy,  the  union  sweet. 
When  the  saints  in  glory  meet ; 
Where  the  theme  is  still  the  same. 
Where  they  praise  Jehovah's  name. 

28.  P.  M. 

Arise,  my  soul,  arise  ! 

Shake  off' thy  guilty  fears ; 
The  bleeding  Sacrifice 
In  my  behalf  appears ; 
Before  the  throne  my  Surety  stands: 
My  name  is  written  on  his  hands. 

O 0 


O — G 

332  PSALMS   AND    HYMNS 

He  ever  lives  above, 

For  me  to  intercede : 
His  all-redeeming  love, 

His  precious  blood  to  plead  ! 
His  blood  aton'd  for  all  our  race, 
He  sprinkles  nov\r  the  throne  of  grace. 

The  bleeding  wounds  he  bears, 

Receiv'd  on  Calvary, 
They  pour  effectual  prayers, 
They  strongly  speak  for  me ; 
'Forgive  him,  0  forgive,'  they  cry, 
'  Nor  let  that  ransom'd  sinner  die.' 

My  God  is  reconcil'd  ; 

His  pard'ning  voice  I  hear, 
.   He  owns  me  for  his  child ; 
I  can  no  longer  fear ; 
With  confidence  I  now  draw  nigh. 
And  Father !  Abba,  Father !  cry. 

Wesley. 

29.  8,  7. 


Stricken,  smitten,  and  afflicted. 

See  him  dying  on  the  tree ! 
'Tis  the  Christ!  by  man  rejected  ! 

Yes,  my  soul,  'tis  He  !   'tis  He ! 
Mark  the  sacrifice  appointed ! 

See  who  bears  the  awful  load ! 
'Tis  the  Word,  the  Lord's  anointed, 

Son  of  man  and  Son  of  God ! 

Here  we  have  a  firm  foundation ; 

Here's  the  refuge  of  the  lost ; 
Christ's  the  rock  of  our  salvation  ; 

His  the  name  of  which  we  boast. 
Lamb  of  God,  for  sinners  wounded, 

Sacrifice  to  cancel  guilt. 
None  shall  ever  be  confounded 

Who  on  thee  their  hopes  have  built. 

G ^ 6 


o-^ — — o 

SUITED   TO    THE    LORD's   SUPPER.  333 

30.  L.  M. 

Ground  of  my  hope,  the  cross  appears : 
I  see  the  "  man  of  sorrows"  bleed : 
I  bid  adieu  to  guilty  fears, 
And  in  his  death  my  pardon  read. 

Now  farewell,  world,  and  farewell,  all 
That  emulates  a  Saviour's  claims ; 
ni  hear  him  and  obey  his  call. 
Regardless  who  applauds  of  blames. 

For  could'st  thou,  0  my  Saviour,  die. 
To  rescue  me  from  endless  woe  1 
Enough  !  there's  none  more  blest  than  I, 
Since  thou  could'st  love  a  sinner  so. 

Kelly, 

31.  C.  M. 

The  blest  memorials  of  thy  griefj 

Thy  suff' rings  and  thy  death, 
We  come,  dear  Saviour,  to  receive ; 

But  would  receive  with  faith. 

The  tokens  sent  us  to  relieve 

Our  spirits  when  they  droop, 
We  come,  dear  Saviour,  to  receive 

But  would  receive  with  hope. 

The  pledges  thou  wast  pleas'd  to  leave, 

Our  mournful  minds  to  move, 
We  come,  dear  Saviour,  to  receive; 

But  would  receive  with  love. 

Here,  in  obedience  to  thy  word 

We  take  the  bread  and  wine ; 
The  utmost  we  can  do,  dear  Lord, 

For  all  beyond  is  thine. 

o o 


) — -*- — ' — •  -■    '  -■  -''"     ■■" ' ""'  ^"      o 

334  PSALMS   AND   HYMNS 

^    Increase  our  faith,  and  hope,  and  love ; 
Lord,  give  us  all  that's  good : 
We  would  thy  full  salvation  provej 
And  share  thy  flesh  and  blood. 

ffart. 

32.  L.  M. 

Pity  a  helpless  sinner,  Lord, 
Who  would  believe  thy  gracious  word, 
But  own  my  heart,  with  shame  and  grief, 
The  hold  of  sin  and  unbelief. 

Lord,  in  thy  house  I  hear  there's  room ; 
And,  vent'ring  hard,  behold  I  come ; 
But  can  there,  tell  me,  can  there  be, 
Amongst  thy  children,  room  for  me. 

I  eat  the  bread,  and  drink  the  wine ; 
But,  oh !  my  soul  wants  more  than  sign ; 
^  I  faint  unless  I  feed  on  Thee» 

And  drink  thy  blood  as  shed  for  me. 

For  sinners.  Lord,  thou  cam'st  to  bleed 
And  I'm  a  sinner  vile  indeed : 
Lord,  I  believe  thy  grace  is  free ; 
Oh  magnify  that  grace  in  me  ! 

JSart. 


I 

o 


0— — — —  C 

SUITED   TO    THE    LORD's    SUPPER.  335 

III.— AFTER  COMMUNICATING. 

33.  L.  M. 

Our's  is  a  rich  and  royal  feast. 

Provided  by  the  King  of  heav'n ; 
How  privileg'd  are  they,  and  blest. 

To  whom  the  Bread  of  life  is  giv'n ' 

In  sacred  fellowship  we  meet, 

To  celebrate  our  Saviour's  death  : 
His  blood  we  drink,  his  flesh  we  eatj 

His  people  feed  on  him  by  faith. 

We  worship  him,  who  bore  the  cross: 

We  glory  in  his  death  alone : 
The  world  itself  appears  but  loss. 

To  those  to  whom  his  name  is  known. 

The  blood  he  sheds  supplies  a  stream 

That  washes  all  our  guilt  away; 
How  precious,  then,  the  Lord  should  seem, 

Whose  death  we  celebrate  to-day. 

On  earth  his  dying  love  shall  be 
Our  spring  of  hope,  our  theme  of  Joy ; 

And  when  in  heav'n  our  Lord  we  see. 
His  praise  shall  all  our  pow'rs  employ. 

34. 

Come,  let  us  join  our  cheerful  songs. 

With  angels  round  the  throne, 
Ten  thousand  thousand  are  their  tongues. 

But  all  their  joys  are  one. 

♦'  Worthy  the  Lamb  that  died,"  they  cry, 

"  To  be  exalted  thus : " 
"  Worthy  the  Lamb,"  our  lips  reply, 

"  For  he  was  slain  for  us." 

O — 0 


Kelly. 
C.  M. 


0 __^ — — .^ — — _ o 

336  PSALMS    AND    HYMNS 

"  Jesus  is  worthy  to  receive 

"  Honour  and  power  divine  ; 
"  And  blessings  more  than  we  can  give, 

"  Be,  Lord,  for  ever  thine." 

Let  all  that  dwell  above  the  sky, 

And  air,  and  earth,  and  seas, 
Conspire  to  lift  his  glories  high. 

And  speak  his  endless  praise. 

The  whole  creation  join  in  one, 

To  bless  the  sacred  name 
Of  him  that  sits  upon  the  throne. 

And  to  adore  the  Lamb. 

Watts. 

35.  L.  M. 

Heav'n  is  our  promis'd,  purchas'd  home, 
Where  saints  shall  meet  beyond  the  tomb ; 
And,  0,  be  this  my  constant  care. 
That  we  may  meet  together  there  ! 

There  sin  shall  vex  our  souls  no  more. 
No  grief  is  there,  nor  want,  nor  sore! 
But  all  in  that  bless'd  place  above, 
Is  joy,  and  health,  and  peace,  and  love. 

36.  7's. 

Israel's  Shepherd  !  guide  me,  feed  me. 

Through  my  pilgrimage  below: 
And  beside  the  waters  lead  me. 

Where  thy  flocks  rejoicing  go. 

Jesus !  Heavenly  Shepherd !  ever 

Guard  and  keep  me  in  thy  way; 
I  have  found  thee,  and  would  never. 

Never  from  thy  presence  stray. 

0  how  sweet  and  comfortable, 

In  the  wilderness  to  see 
Such  provision,  and  a  table 

Spread  for  sinners:  yes,  for  me  J 

o o 


o 


SUITED    TO    THE    LORd's    SUPPER.  337 

There  thy  bounty  still  partaking. 

Consecrated  bread  and  wine, 
Freely  all  things  else  forsaking, 

I  behold  the  Saviour  mine. 

In  that  bruised  body  broken,— 

In  the  shedding  of  that  blood,— 
What  a  gracious  pledge  and  token, 

Lord !  we  haVe,  for  ev'ry  good  ! 

O  my  soul,  no  longer  harden'd. 

Now  thy  Saviour's  help  implore. 
While  he  bids  thee,  freely  pardon'd, 

"Go  in  peace,  but  sin  no  more." 

/.  Bickersteth, 


C.  M. 


37. 

O  LoRB,  my  best  desire  fulfil. 

And  help  me  to  resign 
Life,  health,  and  comfort,  to  thy  will, 

And  make  thy  pleasure  mine. 

Why  should  I  shrink  at  thy  command. 

Whose  love  forbids  my  fears  1 
Or  tremble  at  the  gracious  hand 

That  wipes  away  my  tears  % 

No  ;  rather  let  me  freely  yield 

What  most  I  prize  to  thee  ; 
Who  never  hast  a  good  withheld. 

Or  wilt  withhold,  from  me. 

Thy  favour  all  my  journey  through^ 

Thou  art  engaged  to  grant ; 
What  else  1  want,  or  think  I  do, 

'Tis  better  still  to  want. 

Cowper. 

38.  c.  M. 

Mr  God !  the  covenant  of  thy  love 

Abides  for  ever  sure ; 
And  in  its  matchless  grace  I  feel 

My  happiness  secure. 

G — ^ 6 

29 


0 — ■ ■ ' — 

338  PSALMS   AND    HYMNS 

What  tho'  my  house  be  not  with  thee 

As  nature  could  desire  1 

To  nobler  joys  than  nature  gives 

Thy  servants  may  aspire. 

/ 

Since  thou,  the  everlasting  God, 

My  Father  art  become  ; 
Jesus  my  Guardian  and  my  Friend, 

And  heaven  my  final  home : 

I  welcome  all  thy  sov'reign  will, 

For  all  that  will  is  love ; 

And  when  I  know  not  what  thou  dost, 

I  wait  the  light  above. 

Doddridge. 

39.  L.  M. 

Emptied  of  earth  I  fain  would  be. 
Of  sin,  of  self,  of  all  but  thee ; 
Reserv'd  for  Christ  that  bled  and  died — 
Surrender'd  to  the  Crucified  ! 

Sequester'd  from  the  noise  and  strife. 
The  lust,  the  pomp,  and  pride  of  life; 
Prepar'd  for  heaven,  my  noblest  care, 
And  have  my  conversation  there. 

Nothing,  save  Jesus,  would  I  know ! 
My  Friend  and  my  Companion  thou; 
Constrain  my  soul  thy  ways  to  own ; 
Self-will,  self-righteousness,  dethrone. 

Detach  from  sublunary  joys 
One  that  would  only  hear  thy  voice. 
Thy  beauty  see,  thy  grace  admire. 
Nor  glow  but  with  celestial  fire. 

Larger  communion  let  me  prove 

With  the  blest  object  of  my  love: 

But,  oh  !  for  this  no  power  have  I ; 

My  strength  is  at  thy  feet  to  lie. 

Toplady. 

O ; O 


A 


o —   -        — ^ — ^ 0 

SUITED    TO    THE    LORD's   SUPPER.  839 


IV.— FESTIVALS. 

Hymn  for  Advent.  C.  m. 

He  comes !  the  Saviour  full  of  graccj 

By  ancient  prophets  sung  ; 
The  smile  of  mercy  in  his  face, 

And  truth  upon  his  tongue* 

In  him  the  world  no  beauty  sees, 

No  form,  nor  comeliness  ; 
Rejected  and  despis'd  he  is, 

And  plung'd  in  deep  distress. 

But  there's  a  people  taught  by  grace. 

To  know  his  matchless  worth ; 
They  own  him,  though  accounted  base, 

And  show  his  praises  forth. 

Of  Him,  who  came  to  save  the  lost. 

His  Father's  only  Son, 
His  people  make  their  daily  boast, 

Of  Him,  and  Him  alone. 

Hymn  for  Christmas.  c.  m. 

Hark  !  the  glad  sound,  the  Saviour  comes. 

The  Saviour  promised  long: 
Let  ev'ry  heart  prepare  a  throne, 

And  ev'ry  voice  a  song. 

He  comes,  the  broken  heart  to  bind. 

The  bleeding  soul  to  cure; 
And,  with  the  treasures  of  his  grace, 

T'enrich  the  humble  poor. 

Our  glad  hosannas.  Prince  of  Peace, 

Thy  welcome  shall  proclaim  ; 
And  heaven's  eternal  arches  ring 

With  thy  beloved  name. 

Doddridge. 

o o 


p^— *»MMM.^«=M«gB*a— »«»a»»^il»^—     Till      — i>»^6^»JM<ll»^»^^.^» 

340  PSALMS   AND    HYMNS 


Hymn  for  Easter.  c.  m. 

Ye  humble  souls  that  seek  the  Lord, 

Chase  all  your  fears  away  : 
And  bow  with  pleasure  down  to  see. 

The  place  where  Jesus  lay. 

Thus  low  the  Lord  of  Life  was  brought, 

Such  wonders  love  could  do; 
Thus  cold  in  death  that  Saviour  laid. 

Who  bled  and  died  for  you. 

But  dry  your  tears,  and  tune  your  songs. 

The  Saviour  lives  again  ! 
Not  all  the  bolts  and  bars  of  death 

The  conqueror  could  detain* 

With  joy  like  His  shall  eV'ry  saint 

His  empty  tomb  survey  ; 
Then  rise  with  his  ascending  Lord 

To  realms  of  endless  day. 

Doddridge. 

Another.     7's. 

Jesus  Christ  is  ris'n  to-day, 
(Our  triumphant  holiday) 
Who  so  lately  on  the  cross 
Suffer'd  to  redeem  our  loss. 

Hymns  of  praises  let  us  sing 
Unto  Christ,  our  heav'nly  King, 
Who  endur'd  the  cross  and  grave. 
Sinners  to  redeem  and  save. 

By  the  pains  which  he  endur'd, 

Our  salvation  he  procur'd  : 

Now  in  heaven  he  is  King, 

Where  the  angels  ever  sing. — Hallelujah. 

6- ' ■ 


0 

SUITED    TO    THE    LORD's    SUPPER.  341 

Hymn  for  Ascension.  7*s. 

See,  the  heav'n  its  Lord  receives ! 
Yet  he  loves  the  earth  he  leaves; 
Though  returning  to  his  throne. 
Still  he  calls  mankind  his  own. 

Still  for  us  he  intercedes. 
Prevalent  his  death  he  pleads ; 
Next  himself  prepares  our  place, 
First-born  of  the  human  race. 

Master,  Lord,  to  thee  we  cry, 
On  thy  throne  exalted  high  ; 
See  thy  faithful  servants,  see. 
Ever  looking  up  to  thee ! 

Grant,  though  parted  from  our  sight. 
Far  above  yon  azure  height, 
Grant  our  hearts  may  thither  rise 
Seeking  thee  beyond  the  skies. 

Hymn  for  Whit-Sunday.  l.  m. 

Spirit  of  Mercy,  Truth,  and  Love  ! 
0  shed  thy  influence  from  above; 
Descend  and  dwell  in  every  heart. 
And  light  and  life  divine  impart. 

In  every  clime,  by  every  tongue. 
Be  God's  amazing  glory  sung ; 
Let  all  the  listening  earth  be  taught 
The  acts  our  great  Redeemer  wrought. 

Unfailing  Comfort,  Heavenly  Guide  ! 
Still  o'er  thy  favour'd  Church  preside: 
Still  may  mankind  thy  blessings  prove. 
Spirit  of  Mercy,  Truth,  and  Love ! 

o o 

29* 


o _ — „ _0 

342  PSALMS    AND   HYMNS 


Hytvin  for  Trinity-Sunday.         p.  m. 

We  give  immortal  praise 

To  God  the  Father's  love, 
For  all  our  comforts  here, 
And  better  hopes  above ; 
He  sent  his  own  eternal  Son, 
To  die  for  sins  which  men  had  done. 

To  God  the  Son  belongs 

Immortal  glory  too, 
Who  bought  us  with  his  blood 
From  everlasting  woe : 
And  now  he  lives,  and  now  he  reigns. 
And  sees  the  fruit  of  all  his  pains. 

To  God  the  Holy  Ghost, 

Immortal  praise  we  give. 
Whose  new-creating  pow'r 
Makes  the  dead  soul  revive  : 
His  work  completes  the  great  design, 
And  fills  our  hearts  with  joys  divine. 

Almighty  God,  we  bow 

Before  thy  glorious  throne ; 
The  undivided  Three, 
And  the  mysterious  one  ! 
Thee  we  adore,  eternal  Lord, 
And  rest  our  faith  upon  thy  word. 

Another,     l.  m. 

Bless'd  be  the  Father,  and  his  love. 

To  whose  celestial  source  we  owe 
Oceans  of  endless  joy  above, 

And  streams  of  comfort  here  below. 

Glory  to  thee,  great  Son  of  God, 

From  whose  dear  wounded  body  rolls 

A  precious  stream  of  vital  blood. 
Pardon  and  life  for  dying  souls. 

Q O 


0 ( 

SUITED    TO    THE    LORd's    SUPPER.  343 

We  give  thee,  sacred  Spirit,  praise. 
Who  in  our  hearts  of  sin  and  woe, 

Makes  living  springs  of  grace  arise. 
And  into  boundless  glory  flow. 

Thus  God  the  Father,  God  the  Son, 

And  God  the  Spirit  we  adore  ; 
That  sea  of  life  and  love  unknown. 

Without  a  bottom  or  a  shore- 

Watts. 


o- 6 


-o 


CHAPTER  XI. 

THE  DUE  IMPROVEMENT  OF  THE  LORD*S  SUPPER. 

The  design  of  this  chapter  is  to  furnish  such  hints 
'  as  may  assist  the  communicant  to  obtain  practical  ad- 
vantage from  his  observance  of  this  institution,  in  his 
subsequent  course.  The  state  of  mind  which  is  fos- 
tered at  the  Lord's  table,  the  feelings  there  excited, 
and  the  blessings  there  enjoyed,  should  be  brought 
into  practical  application,  and  maintained  by  watchful- 
ness and  prayer.  Look  to  yourselves,  that  we  lose  not 
those  things  that  me  have  wrought.     2  John  8. 

Some  seem  to  think  that  if  they  have  received  the 
outward  elements  in  a  serious  manner,  abstained  from 
their  worldly  business  before  and  after,  restrained  their 
I  tongues  from  rough  and  unkind  remarks,  and  behaved 
with  sobriety  for  the  day,  that  then  they  have  done  an 
acceptable  service  to  God.  But,  Christian  reader,  let 
our  aim  be  higher  and  better  than  this.  Seek  duly  to 
profit  by  the  ordinance,  so  that  it  may  be  a  fresh  spring 
to  a  holy  life. 

In  attending  to  the  due  observance  of  the  Lord's 
Supper,  it  my  be  expedient,  first  to  review  what  is 
past,  and  then  to  notice  the  duties  to  which  the  faith- 
ful communicant  is  specially  called.  Such  a  work 
necessarily  calls  for  retirement  and  reflection.  Self- 
recollection,  and  communion  with  God  in  secret,  should 

o o 


0- — — '  — 0 

THE  DUE  IMPROVEMENT  OF  THE  LORd's  SUPPER.     345 

therefore  succeed,  as  soon  as  we  have  opportunity,  to 
our  more  public  employments.* 

Suppose  then  the  Christian  to  have  retired  to  his 
closet,  one  of  his  first  duties  will  be,  to  review  the 
STATE  OF  his  MIND  during  the  past  solemnity. 

In  order  to  ascertain  whether  it  has  been  such  as 
we  may  have  reason  to  hope  will,  on  the  whole, 
through  the  merits  of  the  Redeemer,  be  acceptable  to 
God;  (Rom.  xiv.  18.)  let  us  make  a  few  practical 
inquiries,  with  reference  to  the  exercise  of  those  graces 
which  we  have  before  shown  to  be  necessary  to  re- 
ceiving the  Lord's  Supper  with  benefit ;  such  as  re- 
pentance, faith,  gratitude,  and  charity  ;  (see  chap,  i; 
part  ii.)  and  with  reference  to  those  directions  which 
have  been  before  given  for  the  employment  of  the  mind 
during  the  communion  service.     See  chap.  iv.  part  ii. 

The  chief  thing  is,  have  you  duly  remembered 
Christ  at  his  table  ?  You  may  know  this  by  the  holy 
tempers  and  dispositions  which  such  a  remembrance 
is  calculated  to  produce  and  increase. 

A  due  remembrance  of  Christ  will  increase  peni- 
tence and  sorrow  for  sin.  The  contemplation  in  a 
right  spirit  of  the  only-begotten  of  his  Father,  wounded 
for  our  transgressions^  is  evidently  calculated  to  pro- 
duce fresh  convictions  of  the  evil  and  guilt  of  all  sin  ; 

*  It  is  recorded  of  the  pious  Bonnell,  "  When  he  returned 
from  Church,  he  immediately  retired  to  his  closet,  and  spent  a 
considerable  time  in  his  own  private  prayers  and  praises.  And 
as  his  wife  wa^  still  his  fellow-communicant,  so  with  her  he 
prayed  before  dinner;  blessing  God  for  that  happy  opportunity 
given  them  both  of  commemorating  our  Saviour's  sufferings, 
and  receiving  the  pledges  of  his  reconciled  favours,  and  praying 
for  all  those  who  had  been  partakers  with  them  that  day,  or  at 
any  other  time,  of  those  blessed  means  of  grace  which  they  had 
then  received."     See  Hamilton's  Life  of  Bonneil. 


G- 


o — -^ — — 0 

346  THE   DUE    IMPROVEMENT 

and  contrition  and  compunction  for  our  many,  our 
wilful,  and  our  repeated  transgressions.  When  with 
the  eye  of  faith  we  look  on  him  who7n  we  have  pierced, 
then  it  is  we  mourn  for  sin,  and  our  hearts  rise  in  holy 
indignation  against  ourselves.  Have  we,  then,  felt  at 
the  Lord's  table  any  thing  like  a  deeper  and  more 
lively  sense  of  our  shameful  ingratitude,  our  cold 
affections,  and  our  base  rebellions?  Has  this  pro- 
duced in  us  any  feeling  of  godly  sorrow,  and  truly 
humbled  us  before  our  heavenly  Father  ? 

If  Christ  be  duly  remembered,  faith  will  be  in- 
creased. We  shall  with  more  confidence  look  to 
Christ,  as  our  only  Saviour,  and  feel  that  we  may 
safely  leave  our  everlasting  interests  with  him.  We 
shall  repose  with  a  more  stedfast  and  unshaken  reli- 
ance on  his  unchangeable  love,  and  his  complete  sal- 
vation. Faith  will  be  growing  to  the  full  assurance 
of  hope,  that  since  we  believe  on  the  name  of  Jesus, 
(John  i.  12.)  we  are  children  of  God,  and  may  look  up 
to  him  as  our  heavenly  Father,  and  thus  our  hearts 
will  be  filled  with  joy  and  with  peace. 

If  Christ  be  duly  remembered,  assurance  of  an  in- 
terest in  him  will  increase.  There  is  a  striking  pas- 
sage in  the  Homily  on  the  sacrament,  showing  how 
assurance  is  connected  with  the  reception  of  the 
Lord's  Supper.  After  giving  the  high  expressions  of 
the  Fathers  upon  this  ordinance,  and  guarding  against 
resting  in  the  outward  elements,  the  Homily  proceeds 
"always  holding  fast  and  cleaving  by  faith  to  the 
ROCK,  whence  we  may  suck  the  sweetness  of  everlast- 
ing salvation.  Thus  much  more  the  faithful  see,  hear, 
and  know,  the  favourable  mercies  of  God  sealed,  the 
satisfaction  by  Christ  towards  us  confirmed,  and  the 
remission  of  sin  established.  Here  they  may  feel 
O— O 


O < 

OF  THE  lord's  SUPPER.  347 

wrought  the  tranquillity  of  conscience,  the  increase  of 
faith,  the  strengthening  of  hope,  the  large  spreading 
abroad  of  brotherly  kindness,  with  many  other  graces 
of  God ;  the  taste  whereof  they  cannot  attain  unto, 
who  are  drowned  in  the  deep,  dirty  lake  of  blindness 
and  ignorance :  fix)m  which,  beloved,  wash  youselves 
with  the  living  waters  of  God's  word,  whence  you  may 
know  both  the  spiritual  food  of  this  costly  supper,  and 
the  happy  trustings  and  effects  that  the  same  brings 
with  it.  Now  it  follows,  to  have  with  this  knowledge, 
a  sure  and  constant  faith  not  only  that  the  death  of 
Christ  is  available  for  the  redemption  of  all  the  world, 
for  the  remission  of  sins,  and  reconciliation  with  God 
the  Father ;  but  also  that  he  has  made  upon  his  cross 
a  full  and  sufficient  sacrifice  for  thee,  a  perfect  cleans- 
ing of  thy  sins,  so  that  thou  acknovvledgest  no  other 
Saviour,  Redeemer,  Mediator,  Advocate,  Intercessor, 
but  Christ  only ;  and  that  thou  mayst  say  with  the 
Apostle,  that  he  loved  thee,  and  gave  himself  for  thee. 
For  this  is  to  stick  fast  to  Christ's  promise  made  in  his 
institution,  to  make  Christ  thine  own,  and  to  apply  his 
merits  unto  thyself." 

If  Christ  be  duly  remembered,  gratitude  will  be  a 
prevailing  sentiment  in  our  hearts.  You  cannot  con- 
sider aright  your  obligations  to  him  without  some  emo- 
tions of  love  in  your  bosom.  You  will  be  read}''  to  say. 
Surely  I  ought  to  love  Christ.  He  made  me,  and  died 
for  me ;  he  whom  I  have  slighted  and  neglected,  and 
who  yet  intercedes  daily  in  my  behalf,  justly  demands 
my  warmest  affections,  and  my  whole  heart.  What 
friend  have  I  so  powerful,  so  wise,  so  tender,  so  for- 
bearing, as  Christ !  See  if  there  were  ever  sorrow  like 
his  sorrow  ;  and  that  he  underwent  for  me  !  Unsoli- 
cited, undesired,  unwelcomed,  he  came  and  stood  in 
O— : O 


0 ___ — _ ( 

348  THE    DUE    IMPROVEMENT. 

the  gap  between  me  and  eternal  ruin.  He  disclosed 
the  way  to  endless  glory,  and  he  now  guides  me  by 
his  Holy  Spirit  along  the  path  of  life  ;  and  can  1 
remember  this  love  aright  without  some  kindlings  of 
gratitude  in  my  heart  ? 

To  this  we  may  well  join  admiration,  as  another 
effect  of  a  due  remembrance  of  Christ.  Who  is  so 
worthy  of  our  admiration  as  be  who  is  the  source  of 
all  the  excellence  that  is  in  others,  and  who  combines 
in  himself  whatever  is  great,  and  whatever  is  good  ; 
whatever  is  worthy  of  love  and  of  praise  ?  At  the 
Lord's  table  you  behold  the  most  exalted  of  all  beings 
giving  his  life  a  ransom  for  you,  and  tendering  to  you 
the  blessings  which  you  need.  Though  he  be  the 
brightness  of  his  Father'^s  glory ^  and  the  express  image 
of  his  person :  yet  he  receiveth  sinners  and  eateth  with 
them.  Can  we  then  contemplate  this  astonishing  mys- 
tery of  redeeming  love,  without  some  sentiments  of 
admiration  ?  When  the  spirit  is  calm,  and  the  heart 
is  pure,  can  we  but  admire  the  grace  of  Christ,  and 
sing  the  song, —  Worthy  is  the  Lamb  that  was  slain ^  to 
receive  power  J  and  riches^  and  wisdom^  and  strength^  and 
honour^  and  glory^  and  blessing  1  The  angels  above 
desire  to  look  into  these  things,  and  they  sing  his  praise ; 
can  we  then,  when  we  remember  what  he  has  done, 
but  be  warmed  with  his  love,  and  re-echo  the  angelic 
song, —  Blessing,  and  honour,  and  glory,  and  power,  be 
unto  Him  that  sitteth  upon  the  throne,  and  to  the  Lamb 
for  ever  ? 

If  Christ  be  duly  remembered,  love  to  man  will 
also  be  enlarged.  It  is  impossible,  really,  to  feel 
Christ's  love  to  us,  without  some  feelings  of  compas- 
sion and  tenderness,  forbearance,  forgiveness,  and 
kindness  towards  others.     We  shall  come  sometimes 


6- 


■o 


^   -—  riir-i  --.111-1 -n-   ^1-    -  -I    -,   I-    ,   -,   I-  -  '  I  ,-.Mi-    -,.    r.   ■,   i  -.  [nirr   ( 

OF  THE  lord's  SUPPER.  349 

with  a  glowing  heart,  kindling  with  emotions  of  warm- 
est  love  towards  all  around  us,  and  our  natural  selfish- 
ness will  for  a  season  be  exchanged  for  the  generous, 
the  expansive,  the  elevating  feeling  of  genuine  Chris- 
tian  charity.  We  shall  feel  the  force  of  the  motive, 
Fut  on  therefore,  as  the  elect  of  God^  holy  and  beloved, 
howels  of  mercies,  kindness,  humbleness  of  mind,  long- 
suffering,  forbearing  one  another,  and  forgiving  one  an- 
other, if  any  man  have  a  quarrel  against  any,  even  as 
Christ  forgave  you,  so  also  do  ye. 

But  perhaps  you  find,  on  inquiry,  that  instead  of 
having  holy  and  devout  feelings,  your  feelings  have 
been  cold  and  dull,  and  your  mind  has  been  wander- 
ing and  distressed.  Your  examinations  should  tend 
to  ascertain  whether  there  be  not  a  cause  for  this  in 
yourself.  It  is  true  that  Christians  often  find  them- 
selves more  harassed  by  their  corruptions  at  the  sea- 
sons of  devotion,  than  at  other  times.  The  exercises 
of  prayer  and  communion  with  God,  directly  oppose 
the  stream  of  sin,  and  its  torrent  being  stemmed,  swells 
more  against  us.  Satan  too,  perhaps,  peculiarly 
tempts  us  at  such  a  season,  filling  the  mind  with  vain 
and  trifling  thoughts  ;  and  God  permits  it  to  be  so, 
that  we  may  be  kept  humble.  We  are  ready  enough 
to  rest  in  our  services,  poor  as  they  are  :  what  would 
it  be  if  they  were  wholly  right  ?  But  while  we  make 
these  allowances,  it  is  still  true,  as  it  has  been  ob- 
served, that  "  unless  in  the  case  of  bodily  disease,  or 
erroneous  views  of  Divine  truth,  the  want  of  comfort 
in  religion  springs  from  open  or  secret  sin,  from  back- 
sliding in  heart,  or  in  life.  The  joy  of  God's  salvation 
is  a  holy  joy,  not  to  be  found  in  the  ways  of  sin,  nor 
to  be  experienced  in  an  evil  heart  of  unbelief,  depart- 
ing from  the  livings  God." 

6 6 

30 


)  — ^ — — — -     "—"•'• — o 

350  THE    DUE    IMPROVEMENT 

Inquire  then  if  any  sin  yet  reign  unmortified  in  your 
heart.  Inquire  how  you  approached  to  that  holy  table. 
On  this  point  we  refer  you  to  what  has  been  already 
said,  chap.  x.  part  i.  pp.  128-132.  If  you  went  thither 
carelessly,  not  preparing  at  all,  or  very  slightly,  or  as 
a  matter  of  self-righteousness,  to  make  you  worthy,  as 
you  vainly  fancied,  to  appear  before  God  ;  in  any  of 
these  cases,  no  wonder  that  you  met  with  a  rebuke, 
rather  than  a  blessing ;  and,  instead  of  light  found 
darkness.  If  you  have  received  ignorantly  or  irrever- 
ently, uncharitably  or  with  a  carnal  mind,  the  advice 
of  Peter  applies  to  you, — -Repent,  therefore,  of  this  thy 
wickedness,  and  pray  to  God,  if  perhaps  the  thoughts  of 
thine  heart  may  be  forgiven  thee.  Acts  viii,  21-23.  If 
you  have  gone  thus  carelessly  and  presumptuously, 
you  have  profaned  a  solemn  ordinance,  and  you  have 
sinned  greatly  before  God.  But  still  be  not  cast  down 
in  despair,  as  if  this  were  an  unpardonable  sin.  Now, 
in  your  retirement,  humble  yourself  before  God,  and 
you  may  here  perhaps  first  be  taught  your  natural 
corruption  and  helplessness;  you  may  here  first  learn 
the  lessons  of  brokenness  of  heart,  and  sorrow  before 
God.  Though  we  should  deeply  mourn  and  carefully 
watch  and  strive  against  every  sinful  act,  yet  the 
wonderful  grace  of  God  overrules  sometimes  even  the 
very  failings  of  his  servants  to  their  ultimate  spiritual 
benefit. 

Having  thus  pointed  out  the  review  which  it  is  de- 
sirable to  take  of  the  state  of  our  minds,  and  given 
such  hints  as  may  assist  those  who  have  not  received 
with  comfort  or  apparent  profit,  or  have  not  duly  re- 
ceived, we  proceed  to  point  out  the  duties  to  which 

THE  faithful  COMMUNICANT  IS  CALLED. 

We  have  reason  to  hope  that  most  of  those  who  have 
O _ O 


0 ■ ^ — — © 

OF  THE  lord's  SUPPER.  351 

duly  prepared,  will  find  on  their  return  from  this  sa- 
crament, that  even  when  they  have  had  no  remarkahle 
elevation,  they  have  still  been  enaoled  to  go  through 
the  duty  with  seriousness  and  attention;  something  of 
a  holy  impression  is  left  on  their  minds,  some  check  is 
given  to  the  love  of  sin,  and  some  additional  strength 
for  holy  duties. 

And  some  can  in  more  favoured  periods  say,  "  I 
enjoyed  much  of  the  presence  of  God,  had  communion 
with  my  Saviour  and  his  people,  and  it  was  a  time  of 
refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord." 

In  eilher  of  these  cases  those  words  are  applicable 
to  us —  What  shall  I  render  unto  the  Lord  for  all  his 
benefts  towards  me  ?  I  will  take  the  cup  of  salvation,^ 
and  call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord  ;  I  will  pay  my  voivs 
unto  the  Lord  now  in  the  presence  of  all  his  people. 
Psalm  cxvi.  Great  have  been  his  benefits  to  you. 
Jesus  Christ  hath  been  evidently  set  forth  crucified  among 
you.  You  have  seen  that  his  blood  was  shed  for  the 
remission  of  sins,  and  you  have  been  led  to  contem- 
plate the  risen  Saviour  in  heaven  as  still  carrying  on 
the  work  of  mercy ;  there  pleading  for  you,  thence 
bestowing  his  Holy  Spirit,  there  preparing  a  home  for 
you,  and  there  waiting  to  receive  you.     Jesus  Christ 

*  In  this  term  there  is  an  allusion  to  a  custom  among  the 
Jews  of  taking  a  cup,  called  the  cup  of  deliverance,  salvation, 
or  blessing,  at  their  solemn  feasts,  or  when  offering  sacrifices 
for  particular  mercies ;  so  that  this  is  as  if  David  had  said, 
"  I  will  call  all  my  friends  together  to  rejoice  with  me,"  and 
taking  the  cup,  which  we  call  the  cup  of  salvation,  (because 
when  blessed  and  set  apart  we  are  wont  thus  to  commemorate 
the  blessings  which  we  have  received)  "  I  will  magnify  the 
power,  goodness,  and  faithfulness  of  God  my  Saviour,  before  all 
the  company,  and  then  give  it  to  them,  that  they  may  together 
with  me  praise  his  name."    See  Note,  p.  111. 

o o 


0^-.*- -^ ^ . — ^- : «.^-- -* Q 

352  THE    DUE    IMPROVEMENT 

has  afresh  tendered  himself  and  all  his  salvation  to 
you  through  his  ministers,  and  you  have  received  the 
emblems  appointed,  not  only  to  exhibit  his  atonement, 
but  to  be  given  to  each  of  his  people  personally,  to  as- 
sure them  of  their  individual  interest  in  his  salvation. 
Their  inquiry,  under  the  sense  of  these  benefits,  should 
be — What  shall  I  render  unto  the  Lord?  Christian 
reader !  see  what  beloved  sin  you  can  now  for  ever 
put  away.  Ask  yourself, — "  How  can  I  now  set  forth 
the  glory  of  God,  and  most  advance  his  kingdom  ?  In 
what  possible  way  can  I  best  manifest  my  sense  of  his 
benefits?"  What  are  the  duties  to  which  lam  now 
specially  called  ?  We  will  state  them  in  a  few  prac* 
tical  directions. 

1.  Abound  more  in  acts  of  devotion.  Let  us 
PRAISE  our  God  more.  There  will  ever  be  a  remark- 
able contrast  between  God's  blessings  and  our  returnsi 
He  bestows  innumerable  blessings.  We  have  nothing 
to  give  to  him.  After  having  done  all,  we  are  unprofit- 
able servants.  But  he  accepts  a  thankful  spirit  as  a 
suitable  return  for  his  blessings.  Whoso  offereth  me 
praise^  he  glorifieih  me.  Let  us  then  cultivate  a  lively 
sense  of  God's  mercies,  and  a  continual  recollection 
and  grateful  acknowledgment  of  them.  So  shall  we 
most  resemble  the  blessed  angels  above,  whose  happi- 
ness it  is,  through  all  eternity,  to  praise  and  glorify 
God.  And  "  as  the  beams  of  the  divine  goodness  ever- 
lastingly shine  upon  them,  so  there  is  an  everlasting 
reflection  of  the  same  goodness  in  the  incessant  returns 
of  praise  and  thanksgiving  from  them."  Again,  let 
us  be  more  fervent  and  constant  in  prayer.  If  we 
have  had,  in  the  Lord's  Supper,  intimate  communion 
with  God,  let  us  not  lose  the  benefit  by  neglecting 
again  to  seek  him.  Not  one  of  the  duties  which  now 
0 O 


o 


o __ o 

OF   THE    lord's    SUPPER.  353 

lie  before  you,  can  you  fulfil  in  your  own  strength. 
Not  one  of  your  enemies  can  you  resist  by  your  own 
power.     You  are  wholly  dependant  on  the  Lord.     Go 
then  more  constantly  and  simply  to  him.     If  we  have 
obtained  many  blessings  in  answer  to  our  supplications, 
let  it  encourage  us  to  more  frequent  prayer.     Though 
we  may  tell  an  earthly  friend  that  if  he  will  give  us 
our  requests,  we  will  trouble  him  no  more ;  it  need 
not  be  so  with  God.     Nay,  quite  the  reverse.     David 
says.  Because  he  hath  inclined  Ins  ear  unto  me,  therefore 
will  I  call  upon  him  as  long  as  I  live.     That  repetition 
of  request  which  would  be  offensive  to  man,  is  most 
grateful  to  Him  in  whom  all  fulness  dwells,  and  who 
delights  to  give  to  them  that  ask.     Let  God's  benefits, 
then,  in  the  Lord's  Supper,  lead  you  to  expect  more 
from  him,  and  to  spend  more  time  than  ever  you  have 
before  done  in  prayer  to  him.     Let  us  also  be  more 
diligent  in  searching  the  scriptures.   Here  is  the  lamp 
to  our  feet,  and  the  light  that  will  direct  our  paths. 
Here  the  blessings  and  the  duties  of  that  New  Cove- 
nant, the  ratification  of  which  you  have  been  com- 
memorating,  are  fully  displayed  for  your  comfort  and 
your  guidance.    Have  to  say  then  with  David,  I  made 
haste,   and   delayed   not,    to   keep   thy   commandments. 
Psalm  cxix.  GO. 

2.  Remember  your  greater  obligations  to  obedi- 
ence. Though  we  are  bound  to  fulfil  the  will  of  God 
as  his  creatures,  it  is  well  to  have  added,  as  we  have 
done  at  the  Lord's  table,  the  new,  distinct,  and  addi- 
tional engagements  of  holy  resolutions  and  vows,  the 
self-binding  authority  of  devout  dedication  of  ourselves 
to  God.  It  is  calculated  to  impress  more  deeply  on 
our  minds  the  solemn  duty  of  obedience  to  God's  holy 
law.    There  is  also  a  greater  sin  in  disobedience,  after 


30' 


-O 


o o 

354  THE   DUE    IMPROVEMENT 

such  a  voluntary  surrender  of  ourselves  to  God.  When 
thou  shall  vow  a  vow  unto  the  Lord  thy  God,  thou  shah 
not  he  slack  to  pay  it,  for  the  Lord  thy  God  will  surely 
require  it  of  thee,  and  it  would  be  sin  in  thee.  Deut. 
xxiii.  21.  If  a  man  keep  not  his  solemn  promise  and 
engagement,  we  call  him  dishonest  and  fraudulent. 
If  those  that  are  married  break  their  vows  of  fidelity, 
we  consider  them  as  adulterers  and  adulteresses ;  what 
then  are  we  to  think  of  those  who  break  vows  of  an 
infinitely  stronger  and  more  awful  nature — who  are 
unfaithful  to  God  himself?  Let  us  endeavour  to  know 
and  to  feel  with  David,  Thy  vows  are  upon  me,  O  Lord. 
Psalm  Ivi.  12.  The  scriptural  rule  is,  when  thou  vow- 
est  a  vow,  defer  not  to  pay  it.  After  receiving,  our  first 
aim  should  be,  to  bring  our  good  resolutions  into  prac- 
tice, forsaking  our  past  sins,  and  performing  our  omit- 
ted duties.  As  you  are  no  longer  your  own,  let  this 
be  your  feeling — "  I  am  now  fixed,  immoveably  fixed 
for  Christ  and  holiness,  against  sin  and  Satan.  The 
matter  is  settled,  never  to  be  called  in  question  again 
— I  will  serve  the  Lord."  Whatever  others  may  do, 
have  a  settled  conviction  that  you  can  no  longer  halt 
between  two  opinions.  You  must  be  stedfast,  unmove- 
dble,  and  always  abounding  in  the  work  of  the  Lord. 
When  a  temptation  presents  itself,  let  us  then  put  it 
oflT,  saying,  as  Earle  remarks,  '•  Is  such  an  action  be- 
coming what  thou  didst  lately  at  the  Lord's  table  pro- 
mise ?  Is  such  a  conduct  worthy  of  a  Christian,  and 
becoming  for  a  communicant  ?  Does  the  indulgence 
of  such  a  fleshly  lust  become  a  disciple  of  the  holy 
Jesus,  the  immaculate  Lamb  of  God  ?  Is  pride,  pas- 
sion, malice,  envy,  and  uncharitableness,  suitable  to 
the  solemn  profession  of  returning  to  him,  who  came 
to  destroy  the  works  of  the  Devil  ?  "  Let  us  remem- 
G O 


OF  THE  lord's  SUPPER.  355 

ber  also  that  our  obligations  are  not  of  a  transitory  na- 
ture, but  for  our  whole  lives.  There  are  those  who 
will  be  very  strict  for  a  little  time  after  the  sacrament, 
but  soon  return  to  their  former  sinful  liberties.  Such 
conduct  seems  to  show  that  they  have  not  yet  been 
actin^  under  the  feeling;  of  gratitude  and  love.  We 
should  not  obey  under  the  restraint  of  fear,  the  bond- 
age of  an  unwilling  mind,  reluctantly  brought  to  dis- 
charge the  outward  services;  but  freely  and  gladly 
giving  God  our  whole  hearts. 

3.  Endeavour  to  retain  the  holy  feelings  that 
HAVE  BEEN  EXCITED.  You  are  returning  to  a  chilling 
and  distracting  world.  The  devout  and  heavenly 
thoughts  which  filled  your  mind  at  the  Lord's  table, 
may  soon  be  dissipated  and  lost.  It  should  be  our  aim 
and  effort  to  gain  the  spirit  of  holiness  as  a  blessed 
habit  of  our  minds,  so  that  we  may  not  be  holy  only 
on  a  sacrament  day,  but  holy  at  all  times,  and  in  all 
places.  This  is  that  spiritual  mind  ichich  is  life  and 
peace :  and  till  we  gain  this,  we  shall  never  truly 
know  the  blessedness  of  true  religion.  You  have  per- 
haps had  in  this  solemn  service,  or  in  connection  with 
it,  lively  desires  excited  in  your  heart  after  the  Sa- 
viour's presence  and  glory ;  you  have  been  led  to 
aspire  after  and  long  for  those  superior  joys  which  are 
at  his  right  hand  for  evermore  ;  and  have  been  ready 
to  say,  Blessed  is  he  that  shall  eat  bread  in  the  kingdom 
of  God.  O  then,  after  the  enjoyment  of  such  feelings 
and  desires,  let  us  no  longer  cleave  so  to  the  dust,  and 
make  this  world  our  resting-place,  and  our  portion,  as 
we  have  heretofore  done ;  but  rather  set  our  affections 
on  things  above.  You  have,  perhaps,  felt  a  strength 
of  attachment  to  Christ  which  you  have  never  be- 
fore experienced.     Be  it  your  aim  to  keep  this  feel- 

o o 


o • ^o 

356  THE    DUE    IMPROVEMENT 

ing  strong  in  your  hearts  that  your  love  may  never 
wax  cold. 

4.  Contend  more  vigorously  with  your  spiritual 
ENEMIES.  Every  time  we  receive  the  Lord's  Supper, 
we  renew  afresh  our  baptismal  vows,  and  renounce 
afresh  our  three  great  enemies,  the  Devil  and  all  his 
works,  the  pomps  and  vanities  of  this  wicked  world, 
and  all  the  sinful  lusts  of  the  flesh.  O  do  not  merely 
profess  to  serve  God ;  do  not  serve  him  with  your  lips 
only,  while  your  heart  is  in  league  with  his  enemies. 
Be  not  so  inconsistent  as  to  act  in  direct  contradiction 
to  those  solemn  professions  which  you  have  been 
making  in  the  presence  of  God  and  his  people,  by 
again  yielding  to  the  temptations  of  Satan,  and  walk- 
ing after  the  course  of  this  world,  and  following  the 
devices  of  your  own  evil  heart.  Surely  it  is  a  suitable 
thought  after  this  service,  "  I  have  disclaimed  the 
world  as  my  portion,  shall  T  then,  for  the  compassing 
a  little  of  its  forbidden  gain,  wrong  my  brother,  to 
whom  I  ought  to  do  good  ?  wrong  my  profession  which 
I  ought  to  adorn  ?  and  wrong  my  conscience  which  I 
ought  to  keep  void  of  oflience  ?"  In  the  words  of  St. 
Paul,  Ye  cannot  drink  of  the  cup  of  the  Lord,  and  the 
cup  of  Devils :  ye  cannot  he  partakers  of  the  Lord's 
table,  and  of  the  table  of  Devils.  What  fellowship  hath 
righteousness  with  unrighteousness?  and  what  commu- 
nion hath  light  with  darkness?  and  what  concord  hath 
Christ  with  Belial?  Wherefore  come  out  from  among 
them,  and  be  ye  separate,  saith  the  Lord.  Avoid  then 
all  unnecessary  associations  with  worldly  and  wicked 
people.  Do  not  make  them  the  companions  of  your 
choice.  Rather  say  with  David,  Depart  from  me,  ye 
evil  doers  ;  for  I  will  keep  the  commandments  of  my  God. 
Come  out  from  the  sinful  practices,  the  vain  amuse. 


O- 


) 0 

OF  THE  lord's  SUPPER.  357 

ments,  and  the  trifling  pursuits  of  the  world.  You 
belong  to  a  better  society ;  you  have  higher  and  holier 
companions. 

We  have  noticed  that  Christians  may  be  specially 
harassed  by  their  corruptions,  at  seasons  of  devotion  ; 
and  it  has  been  sometimes  found  that  after  receiving, 
they  have  been  much  tempted  by  their  great  adver- 
sary. They  have  been  tempted,  perhaps,  to  think 
highly  of  themselves  as  spiritual  and  holy  characters. 
Guard  against  thus  falling  into  pride,  the  peculiar 
temptation  of  the  Devil.  Eating  and  drinking  in  the 
presetice  of  Christ,  (Luke  xiii.  26.)  are  by  no  means 
decided  proofs  of  eminent  piety.  At  other  times  we 
are  tempted  after  the  enjoyment  of  a  spiritual  privi- 
lege, to  become  careless,  unvvatchful,  and  oflT  our 
guard.  It  is  recorded  for  our  admonition,  that  Peter 
denied,  and  all  the  disciples  forsook  their  Master  after 
the  Lord's  Supper.  Let  us  then  watch  and  pray.  Let 
us  go  from  the  Lord's  Supper,  not  to  indulge  sloth  and 
negligence,  but  a  holy  walk  with  God,  and  a  determin- 
ed conflict  with  all  our  spiritual  enemies,  boldly  con- 
fessing our  Saviour  before  men,  and  speaking  good  of 
his  name. 

5.  Endeavour  to  attain  more  of  the  mind  of 
CHRIST.  Imitate  the  Saviour,  whose  death  you  have 
been  commemorating.  O  that  there  were  such  a  love 
to  Christ,  and  delight  in  him,  and  admiration  of  him, 
that  we  copied  his  graces,  and  were  never  content  till 
we  were  like  him.  Let  the  same  spirit  animate  you 
which  animated  him,  the  spirit  of  gentleness,  meek- 
ness, patience,  and  love :  the  spirit  of  faith,  devotion, 
self-denial,  and  zeal.  The  disciples  should  be  like 
their  Master.  He  that  saith  he  abideth  in  him,  ought  him- 
self so  to  walk,  as  he  also  walked.     The  Apostles,  from 


o- 


o- 


-0 


358 


THE    DUE    IMPROVEMENT 


their  having  been  with  our  Lord,  attained  something 
of  his  holy  courage  and  firmness ;  and  their  enemies 
even  took  knowledge  of  them,  that  they  had  been  with  Je- 
sus. O  that  there  were  such  an  evident  elevation  of 
piety  in  every  communicant,  such  meekness,  heavenly- 
mindedness,  and  self-denial,  that  all  around  could  see 
the  blessed  effects  of  communion  with  Christ  at  his 
table. 

6.  Cultivate  a  spirit  of  sincere  love,  love  to  the 
brethren,  and  to  all  men.  This  duty  is  here  taught 
with  much  advantage.  Having  seen  in  this  ordinance 
that  Christians  are  all  members  of  the  same  body,  con- 
sider what  love  there  should  be  among  them.  Let  us 
frequent,  and  delight  in,  the  society  of  the  pious.  Da- 
vid says,  /  am  a  companion  of  all  them  that  fear  thee, 
and  of  them  that  keep  thy  precepts.  Surely  we  ought  to 
have  a  tender  sympathy  in  each  other's  sorrows  and 
each  other's  joys.  Let  this  holy  feast  teach  us  disin- 
terested, fervent,  pure,  self-denying,  undissimulating 
love  to  the  brethren ;  to  be  like-minded  one  towards 
another  according  to  Christ  Jesus ;  to  put  away  as 
much  as  possible  all  coldness,  distance,  suspicions, 
and  jealousies ;  and  to  be  open,  kind,  and  tender- 
hearted, forgiving  one  another  even  as  God  for  ChrisVs 
sake  has  forgiven  you.  It  has  been  well  said,  "  Let 
those  that  have  had  communion  with  God  in  this  ordi- 
nance be  able  to  appeal  to  their  relations  and  domes- 
tics, and  all  they  converse  with,  and  to  vouch  them 
for  witnesses  that  they  have  mastered  their  passions, 
and  are  grown  more  mild  and  quiet  in  their  families 
than  formerly  they  were.  Let  us  never  give  occa- 
sion to  the  enemies  of  religion  to  say  that  the  serious- 
ness of  religion  makes  men  sour  and  morose,  and 
that  zeal  in  devotion  disposes  them  to  peevishness  and 


o- 


-o 


O— — 0 

OF  THE  lord's  SUPPER.  359 

passion  ;  "* — let  us  rather  show  that  the  more  earnest 
we  are  in  religion,  the  more  cheerful  we  are,  and  ami- 
able, and  loving  towards  all  with  whom  we  have  to 
deal. 

This  love  will  be  shown  in  gladly  availing  ourselves 
of  opportunities  to  do  good,  and  seeking  for  such  op- 
portunities. It  will  also  manifest  itself  in  attention  to 
the  wants  of  the  poor.  If  we  ourselves  have  richly 
partaken  of  the  feast  which  God's  mercy  has  provided 
for  us,  let  us  send  portions  unto  them  for  whom  nothing 
is  prepared.  Neh.  viii.  10.  Let  us  be  thoughtful  of 
the  spiritual  and  temporal  wants  of  the  afflicted  poor 
around  us. 

7.  Adorn  the  religion  of  your  saviour.  Let  our 
spirit  and  temper,  our  words,  and  our  whole  conduct 
and  behaviour,  be  such  as  becometh  the  Gospel  of  Christ. 
How  devout,  how  holy,  and  how  spiritual  was  the  con- 
versation of  our  Lord,  as  we  have  it  recorded  from  the 
14th  to  the  ITth  chapter  of  St.  John's  gospel,  after  first 
administering  and  partaking  of  this  ordinance  !  O  that 
our  conversation,  too,  like  his,  may  ever  after  be  full 
of  love,  and  kindness,  and  devotion  !  Again,  a  faith- 
ful discharge  of  relative  duties  truly  adorns  religion. 
"  The  master  ruling  with  gentleness,  the  servant  la- 
bouring with  cheerfulness  and  fidelity  ;  the  husband 
kind  and  tender,  the  wife  meek  and  obedient ;  the 
father  mixing  parental  affection  with  correction,  the 
son  manifesting  filial  love,  with  dutiful  submission  : 
and  so  in  every  other  relation,  each  fulfilling  the  du- 
ties of  their  station.  This  will  make  our  houses  tem- 
ples ;  and  the  charity,  forbearance,  patience,  and  sub- 
mission shown  one  to  another  in  such  families,  will  be 


*  See  Henry's  Communicant's  Companion. 

o 6 


0 • 0 

J^60      THE  DUE  IMPROVEMENT  OF  THE  LORD's  SUPPER. 

the  most  convincing  proof  that  Christ  really  dwells 
under  that  roof."  God  has  brought  you  near  to  him, 
thai  you  may  be  unto  liim  for  a  people,  and  for  a  name, 
and  for  a  praise,  and  for  a  glory.  The  profession  of 
religion  made  at  the  Lord's  table  seems  to  impress  this 
duty  of  honouring  his  name  with  peculiar  forae.  You 
have  been  publicly  confessing  Christ  before  men,  and 
acknowledging  your  hope  in  him  before  his  people. 
You  have  also  received  from  him  the  tokens  of  his 
favour.  The  honour  of  Christ  is  then  in  some  mea- 
sure entrusted  to  you.  The  men  of  the  world,  per- 
versely  enough,  and  sometimes,  alas !  to  their  eternal 
ruin,  judge  of  Christ  and  his  gospel  by  the  conduct  of 
his  professing  people.  Your  failings  may  be  a  stum- 
bling block  ;  your  stedfastness  in  faith,  hope,  and  love, 
a  blessing  to  many.  Christian  communicant !  your 
tempers  and  dispositions  should  set  forth  the  excellence 
of  Christ  to  a  world  ignorant  of  him.  When  the  more 
glorious  light  of  the  sun  has  left  us,  the  mild  and 
peaceful  beams  of  the  moon  enlighten  a  land  otherwise 
enveloped  in  darkness ;  and  give  us  some  faint,  yet 
cheering  resemblance  of  the  beauty  and  benefit  of  the 
greater  light  of  heaven.  Christian  communicant !  let 
your  light,  borrowed  from  the  Saviour,  reflect  some 
peaceful  and  beneficial  rays  in  the  midst  of  a  dark 
world.  Let  your  Jight  so  shine  hefore  men,  that  they  may 
see  your  good  works,  and  glorify  your  Father  which  is  in 
heaven. 

We  conclude  the  whole  Treatise,  by  pressing  on 
the  reader's  attention  the  importance  of  observing 
this  ordinance,  and  repeating  the  dying  charge  of  the 
Redeemer, 

THIS  DO, 

I  IN  REMEMBRANCE  OF  ME. 

O O 


\ 


o- 


-o 


TABLE  OF  TEXTS, 


OPT   WHICH   THERE    ARE    MEDITATIONS    AND   QUESTIONS    FOR 
SELF'EXAMINATION. 


Deut.  Viii.  2  . 

Job  xxiii.  3  . 

xxix.  2   . 

Psalm  xvi.  5  . 

xvii.  3 

5 

XXV.   11 

xxxi.  19 
xxxix.  7 

xl.  12 
xlii.  11 
li.  4    . 
Ixi.  2  . 
Ixiii.  3 
ciii.  1  , 
cxxxi.  2 
Prov.  iv.  26   . 
xvi.  1  . 
Cant.  ii.  3     . 
V.  1       . 
Isa.  liii.  5     . 
Ivi.  4     . 
Micah  vii.  18,  19 
Haggai  i.  5     . 
Mai.  iv.  2      . 
Matt.  V.  3,  &c. 
vi.  9,  &c 
xxiii.  23 
XXV.  15 
xxvi.  26 
Mark  xii.  30,  31 
Luke  xi.  2     . 
xii.  32  . 
xxii.  19 
44 
xxiii.  34 
42 
xxiv.  51 
John  i.  29      . 
vi.  56    . 
xiii.  12 


183, 


253, 


Page 
201 

John  xiv.  27  . 

298 

xxi.  15  . 

203 

Acts  xix.  2  . 

211 

XX.  21  . 

272 

Rom.  i.  16,  17 

309 

iv.  25  . 

199 

vii.  18 

208 

19 

268 

1  Cor.  V.  7  . 

195 

xi.  31 

208 

24 

200 

Xlll.  . 

209 

XV.  20 

295 

2  Cor.  V.  4  . 

300 

21  . 

308 

vi.  18 

252 

xiii,  5 

196 

Gaiat.  v.  19  . 

294 

Ephes.  ii.  18 

207 

V.  21,  & 

c.  . 

260 

Phil.  ii.  4  . 

266 

iv.  4  . 

298 

8  . 

197 

Col.  iii.  18,  &c 

267 

1  Thess.  V.  18 

179 

2  Tim.  ii.  8  . 

183 

ii.  12  . 

307 

Titus  ii.  1,  &c. 

182 

Heb.  ii.  9  . 

265 

xii.  1  . 

177 

James  iii.  15-1^ 

183 

1  Peter  i.  5,  6  . 

301 

7  . 

274 

8  .  . 

259 

ii.  13,  & 

3.  . 

273 

21  .  . 

263 

V.  1  .  . 

276 

2  Pet.  u  4-7 

262 

iii.  IS  . 

264 

1  Johh  iii.  1 

303 

iv.  19 

Page 
296 
305 
277 
178 
178 
276 
204 
310 
270 
204 
255 
182 
275 
266 
210 
306 
2J0 
169 
279 
185 
214 
297 
183 
185 
293 
254 
206 
185 
261 
201 
181 
271 
212 
304 
185 
263 
256 
181 
213 
299 
304 


o- 


31 


-O 


G 


-0 


INDEX. 


Adoption,  meditation  on     .....         . 

Advent  Sunday,  liymns  for     . 

Appointment  of  the  Lord's  Supper       .... 

accounts  of  it  in  the  New  Ttistament 

Ascension  Day,  meditations  on    . 

— • hymn  for        .         .         .        '. 

Assured  hope,  a  benefit   to  be  obtained   at  the  Lord's 
Supper        ...... 

Atonement,  made  by  the  death  of  Christ 

Scriptural  proofs  of  it        .         . 

design  of  it  . 

it  illustrates  the  divine  perfections 

it  opens  a  way  of  salvation  for  man 


how  we  partake  of  its  blessings 

its  connection  with  the  Lord's  Supper'  . 

texts  upon  it     .....         . 

Augustine  quoted    ....... 

Baxter^s  Saints''  Rest  referred  to         ...         . 
Beatitudes,  questions  upon,  for  self-examination 
Benefits,  those  connected  with  the  Lord's  Supper 

generally  it  is  a  means  of  grace 

it  brings  to  our  recollection  a  past  transaction 

it  is  a  means  of  enjoying  spiritual  blessings 

assured  hope 

increase  of  faith 

sanctification         .         ^         ^ 

Social  advantages 

it  is  a  pledge  of  future  blessings    . 

the  wicked  do  not  receive  any  benefits     . 

—  reasons  why  benefits  are  sometimes  not    re- 
ceived       ....... 

communion  with  Christ  a  principal  benefit 

Berti'am  on  the  Body  and  Blood  of  the  Lord  quoted  . 
Beveridge,  Bishop,  extract  from      .... 
Bingham's  Christian  Antiquities  referred  to 
Blood,  the  life  considered  to  be  in  it 


why  the  cup  is  called  the  blood  of  Christ 


Bonncll,   his  practice  after   partaking   of   the   Lord's 
Supper         ...... 


SUt) 
339 
11 
IS 
27G 
341 

112 
27 
29 
3(J 
31 
33 
35 
3G 
282 
161 

195 
179 
108 
1U9 
109 
111 
112 
114 
115 
117 
119 
123 

124 

134 

23 

189 

S3,  85 

21 

23,  24 


345 


o 


-o  : 


G- 


-0 


INDEX. 


363 


Bon7iell,  his  meditation  on  the  sufferings  of  Christ     .         259 

after  receiving  the  communion       296 

Bradley  s  Sermons  quoted 75,261 

19 
22 
68 


Bread,  why  appointed  to  be  used     . 

— -^ in  what  sense  it  was  our  Saviour's  body 

Breaking  of  Breads  a  name  given  to  the  Lord's  Supper 


Charity,  prayer  for      . 

questions  for  self-examination  on 


Christmas-day,  meditation  for 
hymn  for 


Chrysostom,  quotations  from        .         .         * 
Church,  communion  service  of 

— ^-  definition  of  saving  faith 

Comber,   meditations  from   his  companion 
tar        ....         . 


to 


Comfort,  the  result  of  a  Christian's  self-examination 
Commandments,  observations  on  the  ten     . 
Communion,  a  name  given  to  the  Lord's  Supper 
■■ with    Christ   on  earth    . 


192 
.     182 
274 
.     339 
.  69,  151 
.     223 
42 
the  al- 
254,  265,  272 


of  saints  on  earth 

■  in  heaven 

texts  Upon  it 


specially  enjoyed  at  bistable 
pledge  and  foretaste  of  bliss 
hereafter  in  heaven 
texts  upon  it     . 


service,  that  of  the  Church    . 

hints  for  the  employment  of  the 

mind  in     . 
Condition  not  necessarily  implied  in  the  term  covenant 
Confession  of  sins  after  self-examination 
Consubstantiation,  not  required  by  the  Scriptures 
Corruption  of  man  stated  .... 

Covenant,  that  made  with  Israel  .... 

■ — ^ the  new,  account  of       .         .         .         . 

explanation  of  the  original  word 

why  called  new 

• contrasted  with  the  old 

its  nature         .... 

' our  duty  with  reference  to  it 

the  comfort  to  be  derived  from  it 

texts  for  meditation  upon  it 

Cranmer,  his  Treatise  on  the  Sacrament,  extracts  frpm  it 
Crucifixion,  the  nature  of,  explained  .... 
Cup,  in  what  sense  it  was  our  Lord's  blood 


of  salvation, 
plained 


and  of  blessing ■>    the   terms 


ex- 
Ill, 


187 
224 
69 
134 
136 
140 
141 
2S9 
117 
146 
289 
216 

216 
63 

190 
23 
13 
13 
44 
45 
49 
51 
54 
61 
64 

284 
43 
76 
22 

351 


o- 


0- 


364 


INDEX. 


•0 


Z)f5/io-n  of  the  Lord's  Supper 

it  declares  the  doctrine  of  atonement 

it  represents  Christ's  death  as  a  sacrifice 

■ ' •  ratifying  the  new  cove- 
nant .... 

■  it  commemorates  that  death         .         .         i 

it  shows  it  forth       ,..;;* 

as  an  untjuestionable  fact        .         ; 

the  manner  of  liis  death 

the  true  cause  of  his  death 


it  dechires  our  expectation  of  his  coming  again 

it  illustrates  the  nature  of  faith  in  him 

Devoti'dficss  to    God,  texts  upon  i         .  .         i 

i)w/>^/?sa//on,  meaning  of  this  term 

divine  dispensations  in  general^  explained 

Duties  to  be  discharged  after  receivingthe  Lord's  Supper 
abound  more  in  acts  of  devotion 

remember  your  greater  obligations  to  obedience 

endeavour  to  retain  the  holy  feelings  excited    . 

contend  more  vigorously  with  spiritual  enemies 

■  endeavour  to  attain  more  of  the  mind  of  Christ 

•  cultivate  a  spirit  of  sincere  love        .         .         * 

adorn  the  religion  of  your  Saviour        4 

Bylng  Persons,  on   the    administration  of  the    Sacra- 
ment to  .         .         .  .         . 


Earle,  his  Sacramental  Exercises  quoted  .      167 

Easter  day,  meditations  for  ..... 

—  hymns  for     ...... 

Eternal  life,  a  pledge  of,  received  through  the  Lord's 

Supper,  texts  upon       .... 
Eucharist,  meaning  of  this  name  given  to  the  Sacrament 
Excuses  for  not  receiving,  answered 

'  unworthy,  and  therefore  I  dare  not  go  . 

•  too  nuich  engaged  in  business  . 

found  no  benefit  from  it 

•  afraid  of  breaking  my  resolutions 

- — • some  are  at  enmity  with  me 

Faith,  in  Christ's  atonement  . 

blessings  coimected  with  it 

needful  when  we  receive  the  Lord's  Supper 

examination  as  to  our  having  faith 

texts  upon,  for  meditation  . 

acts  of,  in  meditation 

evidences  of  .... 

prayer  Ibr  .... 

Fall  of  Man,  account  of         ....         . 
Feast,   Christian,  why  the  Lord's  Supper  is  so  called 
on  a  sacrifice,  account  of  the  ancient  . 


68 
38 
70 

67 

72 

75 

75 

75 

77 

79 

45 

288 

48 

54 

350 

352 

353 

355 

356 

357 

358 

359 

125 

',  354 
275 
340 

292 
69 
92 
92 
94 
95 
96 
96 

41 

43 

45 

154 

284 

208 

210 

191 

13 

69 

14 


o- 


-o 


0- 


■0 


INDEX. 


Festivals  of  the  Church,  meditations  on 

Flesh  and  Spirit,  questions  for  s^'lf-exanriination  on 

Forgiveness  of  sins,  a  benefit  of  the  atonement    . 

— — -^ ^  texts  upon  it  . 

/Ve^Me/icy  of  attending  the  Lord's  Supper  . 

Graces,  Christian,  questions  for  self-examination  on 
Gratitude,  a  subject  of  self-examination  before  receiving 

will  be  a  prevailing  sentiment  if  we  duly 

receive      ...... 

^ — ^  prayer  for  ...... 

Grove,  a  meditation  from  his  Treatise  on  the  Lord's 
Supper     ....  .         . 

Hairs  Art  of  Dimne  Meditation  referred  to 
Happiness  that  vv(iuld  folbjw  the  universal  observance 
of  the  Lord'd  Supper 

■^ ^hope  of  this  not  unwarranted     . 

*  effect  it  Would  have        .... 

Harmony  of  passages  relating  to  the  Lord's  Supper     . 
Haweis,  his  Spiritual  Communicant  quoted     . 
Helps  for  self-examination  . 
Hints  for  the  employment  of  the  mind  at 
nion  ...... 

attain  a  tranquil  spirit      . 

■= ^realize  the  divine  presence  4 

humble  yourselves  before  God  . 

-' let  there  be  acts  of  faith  in  Christ 

make  known  your  rerjuests  to  God 

■ ■ —  praise  God  for  his  manifold  mercies 

— give  up  yourself  to  his  service 

make  holy  resolutions  in  the  divine 

Ho/y  Spirit,  texts  on  the  work  of  the 

Homily  on  salvation  quoted     . 

Hope,  assurance  of^  a  benefit  to  be  obtained 

//ornecA-,  a  meditation  of  his    . 

Hymns,  preparatory     ..... 

at  the  Sacrament 

after  communicating 


the  commu- 


strength 


Improvement,  the  due,  of  the  Lord's  Supper   . 

>  review  the  state  of  our  rninds 

duties  to  which  the  communicant  is  called 


o- 


Jewell  on  Election,  quoted 

John,  observations  on  a  discourse  of  our  Lord's  in    . 

Justification,  a  benefit  connected  with  the  atonement 

'■  texts  upon  it      ....         . 

Justin  Martyr,  his  account  of  the  Lord's  Supper 

Kneeling  at  the  L/rrd's  table,  observations  on  . 
31* 


3G5 

274 

180 

33 

2SG 
87 

181 
109 

347 
l'J2 

2G2 
19.5 

128 
128 
130 

18 
114 

IG'J 

210 
210 
21 G 
217 
218 
218 
220 
220 
221 
283 
42 
112 
259 
310 
322 
335 

344 

345 

350 

59 

39 

34 

28G 

85 


237 


-O 


0- 


-O 


366 


INDEX. 


Law  of  God,  questions  for  examination  upon 

the  chief  matters  of  the  .... 

Lord's  Prayer,  questions  for  examination  upon 
Lord's  Supper,  why  this  name  was  given 
Love  of  God,  meditations  upon  it 

selected  texts  upon  it         .         . 

of  Christ,   meditations  upon  it    . 

texts  upon  it 


to  77ia7i,  questions  for  examination  upoil 
to  the  brethren,  texts  upon 


Luther's  remark  as  to  preparation        .... 

Marsden,  Rev.  Samuel,  his  account  of  celebrating  the 

Lord's  Supper  in  New  Zealand     . 
Means  of  Grace,  term  explained        .         « 
Mediator,  New  covenant  administered  by 
Meditation,  a  part  of  the  duty  of  preparation 
Meditations  preparatory  to  the  Lord's  Supper 

acts  of  repentance 

acts  of  faith 

evidences  of  faith 

acts  of  charity 


177 
183 
183 
69 
299 
280 
304 
281 
177 
2SS 
168 


during  the  Communion  Service 
after   receiving    .... 
when  the  ordinance  has  been  refresh- 
ing     .         .         .         .         .         . 

when  oilr  minds  have  been  wandering 

on  the  love  of  God  .... 

on  love  to  Christ 

the  Spirit  of  Adoption    .         .         ; 


.  129 

109 

55 

165,  195 

.  195 

198 
.  208 

210 
.  214 

252 
.  293 


Memorial,  meaning  of  the  name 
Milner,  his  Sermon  on  the  Communion,  quoted  . 
Morality,  Christian,  question  for  self-examination  on 
Mortification  of  sin,  texts  upon,  for  meditation  . 

J\ra7nes  given  to  the  Lord's  Supper  . 
JSTeglect  of  it  attended  with  aggravated  guilt 
A'^ew  Covenant,  explained,  (see  Covenant)    . 

Oblation,  meaning  of  the  term     .... 
Obligations  to  receive  the  Lord's  Supper 

it  is  expressly  commanded 

the  motives  assigned     . 

the  universal  practice  of  the  church 

the  statement  of  St.  Paul 

Owen,  Dr.,  extracts  from    ..... 

Passover,  way  the  Jews  observed  it 

contrasted  with  the  Lord's  Supper 


G- 


Patrick,  Bishop,  quotation  from 


293 
298 
299 
304 
306 
69 
223 
183 
290 

68 
88 
49 


69 
.   82 

83 
.   84 

84 

.   86 

160,  171 

.   14 

17 
94,  99 


o 


6- 


-6 


INDEX. 

Pei'sons,  who  they  are  that  ought  to  communicate 
Post-Cominunion  ex\AA\nQ<l    .... 
Praya^s   before  self-examination 

after  self-examination 

— ' before  the  Communion  Service 

before  receiving  the  Lord's  Supper    . 

^  after 

Preparation  lor  the  Lord's  Supper  i. 

knowledge  of  its  nature  .         i 

self-examination 

meditation       .... 

prayer,  expectation,  and  a  stated  time 

Primitive  Christians,  all  received 
'■ way  they  received 


867 

150 
239 
176 
190 
227 
192 
311 
147 
153 
154 
165 
166 
82 
85 


Questions  for  self-examination  every  morning    and 

evening .         .      169,  170 

^— ■■ on   various   parts  of 

Scripture     .         .         l76 


iJflrmftacA's  Meditations  referred  to  . 
Ratificatio7i  of  the  Old  (or  Jewish)  Covenant 

of  the  New  (or  Christian)  Covenant 


Reeve''s  Apologies  of  the  Fathers,  quotation  from 
Relative  Duties,  questions  for  self-examination  on  . 
Remembrance  of  Christ  the  chief  thing  to  be  attended  to 

it  will  increase  penitence      .         •: 

gratitude  and  admiration 


Repentance  and  faith  intimately  connected  together 

help  to  our  examination  of  our 

acts  of      ....         . 

-^ prayer  for     .         < 

texts  upon  for  meditation 


Resolution,  holy,  to  be  made  at  the  Lord's  table 

meditations  on  . 
Reynolds,  Bishop,  quotations  from 
Richardson,  Mr.,  his  remarks  on  the  Lord's  Supper 
Roman  Catholics,  their  denying  the  cup  unscriptural 
their  doctrine  of  ti'ansubstantiation 


196 

16 

67 

85 

185 

344 

344 

347 

39 

155,  178 

198 

191 

285 

244 

307 

263 

73 

21 

23 


Sacramewf,  meaning  of  the  term     .         .         .         . 
Sacrifice,  why  the  Lord's  Supper  was  so  called   . 
Sacrifices,  those  of  the  law  of  Moses 
SajnuePs  Corifession,  quoted       .... 
Sanctfication,  a  benefit  of  the  atonement 

promoted  by  the  Lord's  Supper    . 

texts  upon  it  for  meditation     . 

Self-examination,  remarks  on     . 

helps  for — let  a  fixed  time  be  set  apart 

consider  the  Holy  Scri[)tures  the  test 


68 
69 
13 

256 
34 
110 
287 
154 
169 
171 


o- 


■0 


o- 


--0 


368 


INDEX. 


Self-examination,  conduct  it  in  the  spirit  of  prayer       .  175 

■ Questions  for 177 

Seal  of  the  Covenant,  Lord's  Supper  has  been  so  called  69 

Sick,  administration  of  the  Lord's  Supper  to  them  .         .  125 

Socinians,  their  perverted  views  on  this  subject           .  36 

Spirit,  Holy,  texts  on  the  work  of 283 

=-  his  office  in  the  New  Covenant       .         .  56 

Stated  time,  needful  for  preparation         .         .         .      167, 171 

Strength,  desires  after  divine 3U9 

'  according  so  our  necessities^  texts  upon   .         .  291 

Sufferings  of  Christ,  meditation  on      .         .                  .  256 
^  texts  upon       .         *         .         .         .  281 

Talents,  examination  on  the  use  of  those  entrusted  to  us       182 
Taylor,  Bishop,  extracts  from 
Testament,  or  Covenant,  explained     . 
Texts  for  meditation        ..... 
Time,  necessary  to  be  given  to  self-examination 
Transubstantiation,  not   required  by  our    Lord's 

.. — ,    ...r        pression      .... 

Trinity  Sunday,  meditation  for 

'• — -" hymns  for  .... 

Unworthy  receiving,  on       ...         , 
what  it  is  not 


what  it  is    . 

great  guilt  thereby  contracted 
severe  afflictions  have  followed 
directions  to  avoid  this  danger 


115,  150 

47 

.  280 

167,  171 

ex- 

.   23 

279 

.  342 

101 
.  102 
103 
104 
104 
105 


Victory  over  Temptation,  texts  upon  . 

Wardlaw,  Dr.,  his  Discourse,  &c.  quoted 

Watts,  Dr.,  his  account  of  the  divine  dispensations     . 

Week's  Preparations,  remark  upon 

JF/^i^iSMwday,  meditations  for    .         .         .         »         . 

' hymn  for         ....         . 

Wicked  to  be  excluded  from  the  Lord's  Supper    . 
Wine,  why  appointed  to  be  used       .... 

Wisdonh  earthly  and  heavenly,  questions  for  examina- 
tion .         ....... 

Worthiness,  what  required  fot  the  Lord's  table    "    . 

Young  P&rsensy  vfhen  pious,  specially  invited  to  attend 
at  the  Lord's  table  . 


291 

32 

54 

173 

279 
341 
151 

20 

181 
152 


90 


G- 


— O 


Valuahh  Works,  puhlished  hy  Stanford  §*  Swords. 
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OR, 

THE   MERCHANT'S    CLERK. 

BY  THK 

REV.  CHARLES  B.  TAYLER, 

▲tTTHOB  OF  "  I.ADY  MABY,"  "  MARGARET,"  "  RECORDS  OF  A  GOOD  MAN'S  LIFfi,"  XtO. 

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tonj^ue  to  ffuard  the  unwary,  instruct  the  iirnorant,  direct  the  doubtful,  reclaim  the  wan 
derer,  and  gfuide  the  steps  of  all  into  the  naths  of  peace.     This  volume  teaches  the  iot 

fiortance  of  resistinsr  sin,  by  showinsr  the  difficulties  and  sorrows  which  a  compliance  with 
ts  temptations  involve.— £J/>iscoprti  Recorder, 

"  This  volume,  in  the  deep  interest  which  its  perusal  excites,  is  not  inferior  to  the  an 
tnor's  '  Records  of  a  Good  Man's  Life,'  wliicli,  as  every  reader  knows,  is  awardinj^  to  it 
very  high  praise.  The  pictures  of  individuals  and  families  are  so  life-like,  the  various 
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cult  to  divest  one's  self  of  the  impression  that  it  is  truth  and  not  fiction.  In  one  respect 
we  think  '  Mark  Wilton  '  is  even  superior  to  the  author's  former  productions — the  four 
fold  phase  of  character  exhibited  in  the  narrative  is  preserved  with  astonishing  fidelity 
and  clearness.  These  are  exemplified  in  the  character  of  a  family  of  hi^h  worldly  inteir^ 
rity;  of  another,  whose  whole  domestic  discipline  is  reL'ulated  by  the  elevated  precepts 
of  Christian  principle;  of  a  younir  man,  a  fellow  clerk  of  Wilton's,  remarkable  for  his 
decision  and  firmness  of  Christian  ciiaracter;  and  of  Mark  Wilton,  easily  seduced  from 
virtue,  lackin:.''  streuirth  to  resist  example  and  vicious  influences,  often  wandering  far  from 
rectitude,  yet  a-rain  impulsive  for  good  when  arrested  in  his  downward  pith.  The  subor- 
dinate characters  serve  to  m  ike  apparent  these  distinctions  We  would  that  the  book 
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"  Clef  r  in  its  style  and  sound  in  its  influence,  it  is  a  complete  Protestant  history,  wrtl- 
ten  by  one  who  has  invested  the  almost  threadbare  sbuject  with  a  novel  interest,  and  it  la 
well  calculated  as  an  antidote  to   the   many  heretical  volumes    which   have   from   lime   to 
time  fascinated   the  unwary  and  led  the  mind  captive  to  corrupt  and  uuscriptural  doe 
^riues.— Boston  Evening  Transcript.  .      .  .       „,        l  u    .  a       i-.- » 

"  It  is  an  interesting  book  to  all  interested  in  antiquities,  Church  history  and  pomy 

-  N.  r.  Gazette.  .  ,_     u  .      .•  «>  — i 

•'  A  book  whim  combines  the  fascinatioi  of  romance  with  the  instrucUoa  of  real 
hiatory. "—MobiU  Daily  Advertiter. 


ValuahU  WorJcs,  puhlished  ly  Stanford  ^  SworJjt, 


MERCY    TO     BABES: 
A  PLEA  FOR  THE  CHRISTIAN  BAPTISM  OF  INFANTS 

ADDRESSED  TO  THOSE  WHO  DENY  THE  VALIDITY  OF  THAT  PRACTICE . 
UPON  THE  GROUNDS  OF  THE  DOCTRINE  OF  BAPTISM,  AND  THE 
ETERNAL  SENSE  OF  HOLY  WRIT,  AND  OF  THE  DOMES- 
TIC. SOCIAL,  AND  RELIGIOUS  NATURE  OF  MAN 

BY  THE 

REV.  WILLIAM  ADAMS,  S.  T.P. 

PFKSBYTER    OF    THE    PROTESTANT    EPISCOPAL    CHURCH    IN    THK    DIOCKSE   OF 

WISCONSIN. 

One  Volume,     12mo,     63c. 

"  Adams'  '  Mercy  for  Babes '  is  a  book  of  rare  originality  and  power.  It  is  an  argument 
of  no  ordinary  cogency,  well  conceived,  and,  in  the  main,  well  put,  for  the  right  of^infants 
to  the  seal  of  blessing  in  the  sacrament  of  baptism.  The  writer  eschews  controversy,  anil 
undertakes  to  lay  down  his  doctrine,  and  prove  it,  on  its  own  merits  from  the  Bible  only. 
He  does  it,  and  does  it  well.  We  know  a  case  in  which  his  end  has  been  attained.  An 
anxious  and  intelligent  '  inquirer'  was  distressed  by  some  of  the  common  specious  objec- 
tions to  infant  baptism,  which  are  »o  successful  with  the  many  who  have  neither  ability 
nor  inclination  to  examine  thoroughly  into  their  validity.  'Mercy  for  Babes,'  was  recom- 
mended, and  the  result  was  perfect  satisfaction.  The  ground  was  cut  up  beneath  the  con- 
troversial statements  that    had   given  trouble,  and  they  lost  all   their  value.     The  literal 

truth  of  Scripture  destroyed  them.     They  were  not  opposed — not  refuted there  was  no 

room  left  for  them.  Truth,  exhibited  by  no  mealy-mouthed  asserto;-,  but  with  honest 
plainness  and  earnestness,  took  hold  of  the  mind,  convinced  it,  preoccupied  it,  and  left  no 
room  for  adverse  sophistry  and  false  assertion. 

"But  one  need  not  be  in  perplexity  because  of  anti-psedo-baptist  assaults  on  the 
Church's  love  for  little  children,  to  profit  by  Mr.  Adams'  book.  Not  for  many  a  day  have 
we  met  with  one  that  will  better  repay  any  reader  for  his  trouble  and  time  laid  out  in 
giving  it  a  careful  perusal.  It  is  most  clearly  written  under  a  sense  of  want.  The  writer 
felt  that  he  had  something  to  say  which  had  not  yet  been  said  as  he  could  say  it,  and  that 
nov.  was  the  time  to  give  it  utterance.  He  has  done  so  in  unstudied  honest  plainness,  and 
has  shown  that  he  was  right.  Late  years  have  brought  out  several  good  works  on  branches 
of  the  psedo-baptist  question ;  this  is  the  first  that  has  touched  the  root." Church  Times, 

"We  have  peculiar  pleasure  in  announcing  the  work  whose  title  we  have  given  above 
in  full,  and  which  conveys  a  very  accu  rate  idea  of  the  peculiar  nature  of  the  track  which 
the  author  has  chosen  to  pursue.  He  leaves  untouched  many  of  the  branches  of  the  argu- 
ment for  the  baptism  of  infants  which  have  already  been  ably  and  sufficiently  discussed 
b}'  preceding  writers,  and  confines  himself  to  what  he  well  calls  '  the  grand  question^— 
its  moral,  reli«ious,  domestic,  and  social  considerations;  rightly  judging  that  when  this  is 
feltas  it  should  be,  minor  questions  will  be  easily  agreed  upon.  He  is  evidently  in  earnest; 
he  writes  from  the  heart;  and  only  seeks  readers  who  are  equally  in  earnest,  and  who  see 
and  feel  the  deep  and  solemn  importance  of  the  subject.  It  is  all  the  more  valuable  as 
'a  book  written  for  plain  people,  and  for  common  sense  people;'  and  that  the  author 
•comes  forward,  not  as  a  controversialist  to  attack  others,  or  to  enter  into  discussion  with 
any  champion  of  the  opposite  views.'  «This,'  he  says,  'is  not  his  object — his  purpose 
is  far  different;  he  wishes  to  lay  clearly  and  plainly  before  those  who  doubt  or  deny  infant 
baptism,  the  giounds  for  his  own  belief  that  are  to  be  found  in  :ne  Scripture; — to  lay  it 
before  them  as  persons  that  have  a  real  and  \ital  interest  in  it  as  professine  Christians 
as  persons,  too,  that  have  the  Bible  in  their  hands,  are  bouud  to  search  for  the  trutb 
there.'  "  —Banner  of  the  Cross 


Valuahle  IVorlcs,  puhllslied  hy  Stanford  ^  Swords. 
HOBART^S    STATE    OF   THE    DEPARTED 

THE  STATE  OF  THE  DEPARTED 

BY  JOHN  HENRY  HOBART,  D.  D. 

BISHOP  OE  THK   PROT.    E  PIS.    CHURCH  IX  THE  DIOCESE  OF  NEW-YORK. 

Fourth  EditionT    One  Volume.     12mo.     50c, 

"  This  little  volume,  pp.  129,  contains  an  address  cjplivered  by  Bishop  Hobart  at  the 
Mineral  of  Biahop  Moore,  of  New-York,  in  1816  :  also,  a  'Dissertation  on  the  State  of  De 
parted  Spirits,  and  the  Descent  of  Christ  into  Hell;'  written  by  Bishop  Hobart,  in  conse 
qnence  of  exceptions  bavins  been  taken  to  his  funeral  address.  The  dissertation  is 
piiblislied  as  last  revised  by  the  Ri^ht  Reverend  autlior.  Those  who  wish  to  inform 
liieniselves  upon  this  subject,  will  find  in  this  book  as  good  a  treatise  upon  it  as  they  will 
piohably  ever  meet  with." — Banner  of  the  Cross. 

"The  larjrer  portion  of  this  volume  is  occupied  by  'A  Dissertation  on  the  State  of 
Departed  Spirits,  and  the  Descent  of  Clirist  into  Hell" — in  which  that  subject  is  discussed 
with  much  clearness  of  statement,  and  fulness  and  force  of  reasonin;2r — presenting  the 
whole  argument  on  tiie  side  adopted  by  the  Bishop  with  an  effect  and  in  a  compass  not 
elsewhere,  we  believe,  to  l)e  found  in  our  lang'uai^e." — Southern  Churchman. 

"  Perliajjs  t!ie  best  dis.-ertatio»i  on  tlie  very  important  question  as  to  the  state  of  the 
departed,  is  this  one  of  the  lamented  Bishop  Hobart,  in  which  the  whole  subject  is 
thoroughly  examined.'' — Providence  Atlas. 

"The  publishers  of  this  valuable  work  have  at  last  given  us  an  edition  in  a  style  some- 
thing like  what  its  merits  demand.  As  it  forms  one  of  the  volumes  prescribed  by  the 
House  of  Bishops  in  the  course  of  study  for  candidates  for  Holy  Orders,  it  is  quite  super- 
fluous for  us  to  commend  it." — Young  Churchman's  Miscellany. 

"  Tins  work  of  the  late  Bishop  Hobart,  is  published  at  a  very  seasonable  time,  when 
every  doctrine  of  the  Church  is  t;alled  in  question.  It  was  occasioned  by  the  Bishop's 
sermon  on  the  death  of  his  predecessor.  Bishop  Moore  of  New-York,  and  is  an  unanswer- 
able defence  of  the  doctrine  of  the  intermediate  state.  Extracts  are  given  as  well  from 
the  writings  of  Dissenters  as  from  those  of  the  Anglican  Church  ;  and  the  distinction 
between  it  and  the  Romish  doctrine  of  purgatory  is  clearly  pointed  out.  The  present 
edition  is  beautifully  got  up,  the  paj^er  excellent,  and  the  type  clear  and  good;  and  as 
the  work  itself  is  used  as  a  text  book  in  the  General  Theological  Seminary  of  the  Church, 
ve  have  no  doubt  the  sale  thereof  will  be  even  more  rapid  than  it  has  been  from  its  first 
tppearance,  and  speedily  repay  the  firm  who  have  issued  it  in  so  creditable  a  style."- 
Nutional  Press. 


WYATT^S    PARTING   SPIRIT^S   ADDRESS. 

THE  PARTING  SPIRIT'S  ADDRESS  TO  HIS  MOTHER. 

BY  REV.  WM.  EDWARD  WYATT,  D.  D., 

KECTOR   OF   ST.   PAUL'S   PARISH,    BALTIMORE. 

Fou  th  Fdition,     One  Volume.     18 wo.  'pa'per.     13c. 

'♦We  regai«J  this  as  one  of  the  most  touching  and  beautiful  things  which  we  have  ever 
-  i>A\  equally  sound  and  judicious,  it  is  calculated  to  diffuse  comfort  through  the  mourn- 
ing home  which  has  been  berett  of  some  briirht  flower  transplanted  from  thi.*  sterile  earth 
to  tfee  Faiadise  of  God."— Foun^  Churchman's  Miscellany. 

"  A  fourth  edition  of  this  beautiful  and  tender  little  thing  has  been  issued.  Ever* 
pa^«at  whc  has  lost  an  engaging  little  child,  wil'.  read  this  admirable  little  tract  W/itn 
kvciy  intei&ct." — Albany  Spectator 


ValuahU   Worlcs,  published  hy  Stanford  Sf  Suords, 


RICHARDSON^S    REASONS. 
The  Churchman's  Reasons  for  his  Faith  and  Practice. 

■VriTH    AN    APPENDIX    ON    THE    DOCTRINE    OF    DEVELOPMENT 
B  V    THE 

REV.  N.  S.  RICHARDSON,  A.  M 

AUTHOR   OF   "  REASONS   WHY  I  AM  A   CHUECHMAN,"   kC,   &C.,  && 

One  volume.     12mo.     75c. 

CONTENTS.  Chapter  I— Introduction.  IF— The  Church  a  Visiblo 
Society.  Ill— The  Ministry  Christ's  Positive  Institution.  IV— The  Chris- 
tian Ministry  consisaug  of  Three  Orders.  V— Same  subject  continued 
VI— Sanie  subject  continued.  VII — Developments  of  Modern  Systems. 
VIII— Tlie  Unity  of  the  Church,  and  the  Sin  and  Evils  of  Schism.  IX  — 
Liturgies.  X— Popular  Objections  against  the  Church  answered.  Appendix 
— Essay  on  the  Doctrine  of  Development. 

"  We  are  fjlad  to  see  this  book.  It  is  one  of  thn  kind  which  the  age  requires,  and  we 
are  happy  to  believe,  it  is  also  seeking.  Ther."  arp  eirrost  iniiids  aad  honest  hearts,  in 
every  religious  denomination,  who  see  the  evils  gro^-ini-  out  or'  the  divisions  in  Christen- 
dom, and  who  are  seriously  inquiring  whether  these  thi»£»  ou?nt  to  he.  The  result  of 
such  an  investigation,  undertaken  with  such  a  purp..-p  na.,  hardly  be  doubtful.  It  will 
be  a  conviction  that  ' God  is  not  the  author  of  ccnfusiofl  out  of  order;'  thai  He  has 
instituted  but  one  Body  as  the  Clmrch  ;  and  that  all  who  are  not  in  communion  with  this 
Body,  of  which  Christ  is  the  head,  are  in  what  the  Scriptures  call  schism.  Having  arrived 
at  this  point,  the  vital  question  coraes,  what  IS  the  Church?  Where  can  be  found  those 
eigns  of  a  Divinely  organized  Body,  which,  originating  in  the  appointment  of  Chrisi*  iias 
connnued  to  this  day,  and  thus  gives  assurance  that  he  has  been  with  it  according  to  \ua 
promise,  is  with  it,  and  will  continue  to  be  with  it,  'even  unto  the  end  of  the  world?'  To 
those  who  are  seeking  for  instruction,  that  their  judi^ment  may  be  guided  to  a  right  deter- 
mination of  this  question,  we  recommend  this  timely  book.  The  subject  of  it"'is,  'The 
Churck  of  God;  its  Vistbiliiy,  Ministry,  Unity,  and  Worship.' 

"  Wo  are  srlad  to  see  that  the  reverend  author  has  devoted  one  chapter  to  the  ♦  Develop- 
ments of  Modern  Systems.'  The  argument  derived  from  this  subject  is  calculated  more 
than  any  other,  we  think,  to  lead  men  to  discover  the  errors  and  unsoundness,  and  insurti- 
ciency  ot  those  systems.  They  cannot  stand,  in  the  judgment  of  sober-minded  seekers 
«fter  truth,  with  their  divisions,  vascillations  and  heresies;  before  the  Scriptural  truth. 
Apistohc  Older,  regular  Succession,  and  uniuterrupted  continuance  of  the  'Holy  Catholic 
\^htirch.*"—Ba7iner  of  the  Cross 

WHAT  IS  CRISTIANITY? 

BY  THOMAS  VOWLER  SHORT, 
Ofie  volume.      12?no.     50c. 

♦•Indistinctness  on  religious  subjects  is  a  great  evil,  particularly  to  the  young;  but  the^ 
•logical  clearness  does  not  always  lead  to  Ciiristian  edification  and  practical  holiness.  It 
has  been  the  endeavor  of  the  author  to  combine  distinct  views  on  the  leadinsf  tenets  ol 
Christianity  with  that  earnestness,  without  which  religion  is  apt  to  dwindle  into  a  mere 
form.  He  has  tried  to  place  before  his  readers  not  words  only,  but  ideas-  to  irive  them 
tluit  which  might  guide  them  in  the  path  to  heaven— to  impress  on  them  the  fundani^-MiuJ 
truths  of  our  holy  faiili— and  to  point  out  how  tlus  faith  should  show  forth  iJls  effocU  in  Om 
occurrences  oi  liti," 


Valuahle  TVorJcs,  published  hy  Stanford  ^  Swords. 


MANTES    HAPPINESS  OF  THE    BLESSED 

THE  HAPPINESS  OF  THE  BLESSED 

CONSIDERED  AS  TO 

THE  PARTICULARS  OF  THEIR  STATE  ; 

THEIR  RECOGNITION  OF  EACH  OTHER  IN  THAT  STATE 

AND  ITS  DIFFERENCE  OF  DEGREES. 

TO  WHICH  ARE  ADDED 

MUSINGS  ON  THE  CHURCH 

AND   HER   SERVICES. 

BY    RICHARD    MANT,    D.D., 

LORD  BISHOP  OF  DOWN  AND  CONNOK. 

O/ie  volume.     12mo.     75c. 

ii  \yg  would  have  this  volume  find  its  way  into  every  Christian  family  where  there  is 
one  person  tiiat  can  read.  If  scriptural  truth  and  warm  devotion  can  commend  a  book, 
this  will  not  be  neglected. 

"  Bishop  Mant  as  a  poet  is  not  duly  appreciated.  Whether  this  arises  from  a  distaste 
for  the  Sonnet,  or  from  an  idea  that  he  has  merely  imitated  Wordsworth,  it  is  equally  a 
mistake.  His  sonnets  are  generally  carefully  constructed,  and  seldom  lacking  in  elevation 
of  sentiment.  They  sometimes,  it  is  true,  are  not  so  well  compacted  and  pointed  as  the 
form  require--^,  but  this  is  owing  to  the  didactic  tone  which  many  of  their  .subjects  neces- 
sitate. Above  all  they  are  full  of  the  genuine  Anglican  feeling  which  Wordsworth  often 
does  not  display.  The  reader  of  the  '  Musings'  will,  we  think,  feel  that  this  series  is 
more  animated  by  a  Cliurch  spirit  than  Wordsworth's." — Churchman. 

"  Sound  in  doctrine,  rich  in  thought,  beautiful  in  style,  and  devotional  in  its  character, 
this  work  ranks  among  the  choicest  specimens  of  English  Theolojfical  literature.  It  has 
already  become  endeared  to  thousands  of  Christian  Churchmen,  with  whom,  like  'Scenes 
in  our  Parish,'  and  the  '  Christian  Year,'  it  is  a  household  volume." — Calendar. 

"  No  Christian  can  read  this  volume  witliout  having  his  intelligent  faith  and  hope, 
strengthened  and  confirmed.  Whatever  difference  of  opinion  may  exist  on  points  of  ec- 
clesiastical policy,  or  even  upon  doctrines,  such  books  as  this  form  a  point  of  attraction 
where  the  redeemed  of  every  Christian  creed  can  meet  in  peace  and  harmony,  and  sit 
together  at  the  threshold  of  heaven  to  talk  of  their  future  union  where  sebls  and  parties 
will  be  unknown.  There  is  that  in  Bishop  Mant's  style  which  commands  the  reader's  un- 
wearied interest." — Commercial. 

MANTES    HOR^LITURGIOE, 

BEING 

k  GUIDE  TO  UNIFORMITY  I\   THE  CELELRATION 

OF  DIVINE  SERVICE. 

BY  THE  RT.  REV.  RICHARD  MANT,  D.  D., 

LORD   BISHOP   OF     DOWN    AND    CONNOR. 

WITH  ADDITIONS,  TO  ADAPT  IT  TO  THE  AMERICAN  CHURCH, 

BY  THE  REV.  W.  D.  WILSON,  M.  A. 
One  Volume.     12  mo.     75c. 

"  We  earnestl-y  commend  this  volume  to  the  attention  of  tJie  clergy  ot  the  Church,  as 
a  work  the  want  of  which  has  been  lonsr  telt,  particularly  in  this  country.  Bisiiop  Mant 
has  ably  fulfilled  the  task  imposed  upon  himself,  and  the  Notes  and  AddUions  of  the 
American  editor  are  judicious  and  commendable.  We  trust  that  those  who  are  just  en- 
term?  upon  th.iir  sacred  calline,  will  ir<ve  heed  to  the  counsels  of  this  volume,  that  they 
may  b-ffin  ariirht,  and  that  the  beautiful  fabric  of  our  liturgy,  bequeathed  by  the  noble 
army  of  mjrtyrs  and  confessors,  may  preeeut  that  beaut)  of  uniformity  which  they  in- 
tended, uudisigured  by  the  crude  notions  of  those  who  would  gild  refia'id  gold,  or  paiat 
lbs  lily.  ' 


Valuable  Works,  puhhsTied  hy  Stanford,  ^  Sicords 


STEPS  TO  THE  ALTAR; 
A  MANUAL  OF  DEVOTIONS  AND  MEDITATIONS 

FOR     THE 

BLESSED    EUCHARIST. 

COMPILED     BY 

A  PARISH   PRIEST. 
One    Volume.      18mo,      Sic. 

"This  is  another  manual  republished  from  an  Enirlish  work  under  the  direction  of* 
w  u^-*f^  New-Vork,  and  the  devout  spirit  within  is  clothed  in  a  most  attractive  foru 
We  hail  It  as  a  happy  omen  that  the  demand  for  such  books  should,  as  we  are  sure  it  wi  I 
justify  their  publication.  Of  this  work  we  need  oiilv  say  as  sufficient  commendation  wl  at 
IS  said  in  the  prefatory  notice.  'The  works  of  Bishops  Andrewes,  Cosin,  Ken,  and  V\  il 
son,  may  be  mentioned  as  chief  sources  from  which  matter  has  been  drawn.'  Auy  th.n-' 
more  we  might  have  desired  to  say  is  rendered  needless  by  the  foilowinff  from  a  cor/es- 
Bondent. 

"  'The  work,  with  the  above  title,  is  deservin?  of  patient,  attentive,  earnest  study  It 
Is  one  of  a  class  of  books  much  needed  at  the  present  time,  and  the  more  we  have  of 
them  the  better  for  the  Church  at  large.  It  is  not  our  intention  to  go  much  into  detail 
With  this  work,  but  we  shall  point  at  a  few  of  its  excellencies  and  merits.  It  contain*  for 
instance,  devotions  for  the  Sunday,  Monday,  Tuesday,  Wednesday,  Thursday,  Fridlvand 
Saturday  of  the  week  before  Communion,  devotions  also  at  the  Celebration  itself,  and 
special  devotions  for  the  Monday  and  Tuesday  after  communing.  Again,  there  is  a  prayer 
for  those  who  are  not  able  to  communicate.  Then  there  are  Prayers  for  Holy  S<-asons 
and  select  passages  for  Reading  and  Meditation  from  various  authors,  with  v/hich  the 
pages  close.  A  more  simple  arransrement  could  not  have  been  selected,  nor  one  a'^reein" 
better  with  the  ceremony  itself.  The  select  passages  are  peculiarly  beautiful,  and  when 
I  i5tate  that  such  names  as  those  of  good  old  Bishop  Wilson,  of  the  saintly  Beveridu^c  of 
the  pious  Brevint,  of  Taylor  the  eloquent  and  the  learned,  of  Andrewes,  of  S  Bernard'  of 
Dean  Comber,  of  Quesnel,  of  Fcnelon.  Archbishop  of  Cambray,  of  our  own  excellent 
Bound,  and  learned  Bishop  Pearson,  etc.,  we  shall  be  of  but  one  mind  in  re-^ard  to  he 
utility  and  worth.  To  my  own  mind  the  beauty  of  the  volume  lies  in  its  exceeding  sin;- 
plicit'.its  genuine  excellency,  its  intrinsic  value.  As  a  manual,  as  a  vade  mecum  it 
must  take  a  high  stand.  This  simple  expression,  from  the  author's  notice,  contains  t/ie 
germ  of  an  excellent  truth,  and  we  would  that  all  compilers,  for  similar  purposes,  wculd 
avail  themselves  of  it.  "  The  works  of  Bishops  Andrewes,  Cosin,  Ken,  and  Wilson,  may 
be  mentioned  as  chief  sources  from  which  matter  has  been  drawn.  Great  use  has  been 
made  of  Lake's  Officmm  Eucharisticum,  and  a  little  has  been  derived  from  more  ancient 
stores  of  devotion  ;"  and  truly,  if  these  stores  were  more  often  consulted,  and  especially 
the  stores  of  our  own  Mother  Church,  we  should  have  a  richer  view  of  devotion,  a  jrreater 
treasury  of  sound  and  gospel  truth. 

"  '  We  were  attracted  by  the  title  of  the  volume.  And  it  is  truly  what  it  purports  to  be 
May  those  steps  guide  many  till  they  kneel  around  the  sacred  board,  and  may  they  be 
often  fed !  May  they  grow  more  spiritual,  and  like  unto  their  Divine  Lord  ;  and  may  this 
humble  instrument,  in  the  hands  of  the  Almighty  God,  lead  mary  unto  righteousness,  and 
into  the  way  of  saving  duty.'  ''—Banner  of  the  Cross. 

"This  little  book,  the  uses  and  objects  of  which  are  sufficiently  indicated  in  the  title. 
Is  printed  in  excellent  style,  and  in  a  form  wkich  makes  it  especiaJly  convenient,— i?*'''*^. 
American  ani  Gazette. 


Valuable  WorJcs,  ^iihlished  by  Stanford  <Sf  Swordt 


CHURCH     LESSONS. 


PROPER    LESSONS, 

rOR    THE 

SUNDAYS  AND  HOLIDAYS  THROUGHOUT  THE  YEAR. 
EDITED  BY  THE  REV.  DR.  WAINWRIGHT. 

Handsome  ISmo, 

"  Stanford  &  Swords  have  published  a  most  beautiful  copy  of  the  Leseons,  in  a 
elear,  legible  type,  and  coaveuieut  size,  and  elegantly  bound  and  finished.  It  is  a  book 
«hich  \vould  make  a  becoming  and  exquisite  present  at  the  approaching  festival  seiij^ou  ; 
while  for  those  who  buy  for  personal  use,  the  beginning  of  the  Christian  Year  is  au 
appropriate  time  for  commencing  a  careful  and  faithful  perusal  of  those  portions  of  Scrip- 
ture, selected  by  the  Church  for  the  illustration  of  her  doctrines,  precepts,  and  history, 
and  for  the  spiritual  instruction  of  her  members.  Wherever  there  is  a  Prayer  Book, 
there  should  be  a  copy  of  the  Lessons."— Protestant  Churchman. 

"It  is  a  beautiful  specimen  of  typography,  printed  on  glossy  paper,  iu  ink  of  the 
deepest  jet,  aud  is  bound  in  every  sort  of  style  to  please  the  eye,  and  the  divers  tastes  of 
the  purchaser.  It  is  also  put  up  in  cheaper  shape,  for  general  use.  The  :  ubiication  ot 
this  companion  to  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  in  a  handsome-  style,  has  long  been  a 
desideratum,  which  could  not  be  more  adequately  supplied  than  Messrs.  S.  &  te  have 
done  it.  Tlte  inconvenience  of  having  to  turn  to  the  calendar  to  find  the  proper  lessons 
of  the  day,  and  then  turn  to  the  Bible  to  find  them,  has  long  been  felt,  and  that  inconve 
nience  is  now  removed,  and  a  valuable  aid  been  furnished  to  the  orderly  periormance 
of  divino  worship.  Often  the  voice  of  the  minister  is  too  low  to  be  distinctly  heard, 
all  over  the  church,  while  reading  the  lessons,  and  it  is  an  advantage,  under  such  a  cir- 
jumstance,  to  have  them  before  the  hearer,  to  aid  nim  in  the  due  understanding  of  that 
.art  of  divine  service,  as  it  proceeds  :  and  under  all  circumstances  it  is  a  convenience. 
Ve  trust  th;it  the  use  of  the  beautiful  and  valuable  book  before  us  may  come  into  univer- 
iH\  use  throughout  the  Church  for  which  it  was  so  carefully  and  successfully  prepared.  — 
/v    Y.  Express. 

"  When  we  say  that  this  handsomely  printed  volume  is  edited  hy  the  Rev.  Dr.  Wain- 
wri-^ht,  we  give  all  needful  assurance  that  the  work  is  carefully,  as  well  as  appropriately, 
done  Then  as  to  the  work  itself,  as  a  companion  to  the  Prayer  Book,  at  clunch  or  at 
borne,  it  is  most  appropriate  and  convenient— for  in  bulk  smaller  than  that  ot^  the  Bible, 
It  furnishes  in  clear,  large  type,  the  Bible  Lessons  for  ^ach  Sunday  and  holiday.  —Courier. 

"All  must  be  acquainted  with  the  usefulness  of  such  a  book  as  this,  afTording,  as  it 
does,  a  convenient  method  for  reading  the  portion  of  Scripture  appointed  in  the  calendar 
for  Sundays  and  Holidays.  We  need,  therefore,  but  speak  of  the  manner  in  which  the 
publishers  have  executed  this  important  work.  The  type  is  sufficiently  large  and  beau- 
tifully clear,  the  page  broad  and  inviting,  and  the  who'e  arrangement  simple  and  correct. 
The  bindin"-  varies  in  diflterent  editions;  in  the  one  before  us  it  is  rich  and  elegant.  It 
can  be  had  In  a  plainer  and  cheaper  style  by  those  who  prefer  such  We  were  struck 
on  taking' up  the  volume  with  the  amount  of  Scripture  which  the  Church  reads  in  the 
vearlv  course  of  her  services.  May  this  volume  aid  iu  making  her  members  more  con- 
'.tint!  more  faithful,  and  more  devout  students  of  the  Holy  Word."— Calendar. 

•'  Few  books  are  issued  from  the  American  press  in  a  better  style  than  this.  This 
folume  of  Proper  Lessons  is  printed  with  large,  clear  type,  on  fine  paper;  and,  what  is 
of  some  importance,  it  is  substantially  and  beautifully  bound.  It  is  very  desirable  that 
the  members,  of  our  con-royatians  should  have  the  Lessons  at  hand  during  divine  service, 
in  order  to  look  them  over,  as  they  are  read  by  the  oflSciating  minister.  We  are  there- 
fore  glad  to  see  a  new  edition  of  the  Lessons,  as  it  will,  we  trust,  serve  to  promote  tow 
iFery  desirable  practice," — Chrixtian  TVitness. 


Taluahle  Works,  published  by  Stanford  4*  Swords. 

JACKSON^S    REMAINS. 
THE  LIFE  AND  REMAINS 

OF    THE 

KEY.  WILLIAM  JACKSON, 

LATE  RECTOR  OF  ST.  PAUL'S  CHURCH,  LOUISVILLE. 

WITH   A 

BRIEF  SKETCH  OF  HIS  LIFE  AND  CHARACTEK 

B  Y    T  H  E 

REV.  WM.  M.  JACKSON. 

One   handsome   volume.     8vo.     $1,75. 

'•  The  life  of  a  laborious  and  devoted  cler?yman,  presents  few  incidents  !<»  *iti  tl>« 
Attention  of  those  who  read  for  pastime,  or  mere  mental  excitement.  But  to  all  »  ..o  love 
to  contemplate  pure  character,  profound  and  earnest  piety,  and  thorough  devoti-ia  to  tl»« 
•ervice  of  Christ,  a  record  like  the  one  before  us,  is  rich  in  attractions. 

"Many  of  our  readers  will  reco;jnize  every  line  of  the  faithful  portraitnre  here  pre- 
sented. The  Rev.  Mr.  Jackson  was  for  many  years  Rector  of  St.  Stephen's  Church,  in 
*his  city,  and  in  that  position  his  faithful,  judicious,  zealous,  and  self-denyin:?  exertiona 
ivere  eminently  blessed.  Memorials  of  his  earnest  ministry,  his  humble,  saintly  life,  and 
kis  abundant  labors  for  Christ  and  tiie  Church  are  written  in  many  hearts  in  our  midst,  ae 
veil  as  in  that  distant  field  were  his  last  years  were  spent.  He  has  left  behind  him  a  re- 
outalion  which  every  parochial  clergyman  msiy  well  covet,  as  his  best  legacy  to  the  Church. 

"  To  say  that  the  volume  before  us  is  full  of  interest  for  the  Christian  reader,  would  be 
•O  speak  far  too  coldly  of  its  merits.  It  is  replete  with  instruction  of  that  hi.'h  character 
▼  hich  arre.sts  the  intellect  while  it  subdues  the  heart.  It  is  the  more  vahiLible.  inasniucn 
48  it  consists  chiefly  of  the  sermons  and  other  instructions  of  the  Christian  pastor,  whose 
memorial  to  the  Church  it  is,  stamped  with  fresh  and  livin?  interest,  so  that  as  we  read,  it 
(a  sometimes  hard  to  realize,  that  the  lips  that  uttered  them  are  now  closed  in  death,  and 
that  the  soul  from  which  they  spran?  h.is  gone  to  its  reward.  '  Being  dead  he  yet  speak- 
eth  ;'  and  happy  will  ii  be  for  us  all,  if  amidst  the  excitements  and  distractions  of  thu-^se 
imes,  the  excellent  counsels  of  our  departed  brother  shall  impress  us  with  a  more  solemn 
i»ense  of  the  e.\iiltcd  duties  and  awful  responsibilities  of  the  ministry  of  reconciliation  in  the 
Church  of  the  living  God." — Protestant   Churchman. 

"This  is  tiie  title  of  a  larse,  handsomely  printed  volume,  from  the  press  of  Stanford  and 
Swords,  containing  a  brief  biographical  memoir  of  the  late  Rector  of  St.  Paul's  Cliurcl., 
Liiuisville,  Ky.,  to,'ether  with  extracts  from  his  letters,  the  sermon  preached  on  occasion  of 
his  funeral,  by  Bishop  Smith,  minutes  of  conversation,  sermons,  and  various  frairments,  the 
collection  and  publication  of  which  was  earnestly  desired  by  a  large  number  of  h  s  friends 
and  parishioners. 

'  The  cliaracter  which  is  described  in  this  volume  is  eminently  that  of  a  Christian  nwnis 
ter,  and  though  the  seeker  after  bold  adventure,  or  vivid  incident,  may  not  find  within  it! 
pages  the  material  for  gratifying  his  peculiar  tastes,  the  record  of  a  good  man's  life  cannot 
be  read  without  interest  or  profit,  even  thoii<rh  there  be  little  in  it  of"  the  startling  or  the 
adventurous.  VVe  earnestlj'  commend  this  volume  therefore  to  the  attention  of  our  read- 
ers *' — Evening   Gazettt. 

"This  is  the  title  ola  very  handsome  octave  volume,  which  has  been  recently  published 
in  New-York.  It  is  well  printed  on  fine  piper,  and  is  embellished  with  a  portrait  which 
will  strike  al!  wiio  remember  how  the  lam  'nted  original  looked,  as  an  excelleat  likenes« 
The  volume  consists  of  a  memoir  of  Mr.  Jackson,  a  selection  from  his  sermons  and  letters, 
&ud  extracts  from  his  writings.  It  is  a  worthy  tribute  to  the  memory  of  a  good  man  In 
this  CO  ••nninity  no  recommendation  is  necessary  to  induce  persons  to  purchase  such  a  vol 
ume.  Of .  ourse  his  numerous  friends  and  admirers  Mill  hasten  to  supply  thoowelve*  with 
tojpies  of  tliv  work  "-^Louisville  Journal. 


Devotional  Works,  puhtisTied  hy  Stanford  ^  SiwrcLi, 
JENKS^    DEVOTIONS, 

ALTERED  AND  IMPROVED 

^Y  THE  REV.  CHARLES  SIMEON,  M.  A., 

FELLOW  OF  king's  COLLEGE,  CAMBRIDGE. 

From  the  33rf  London  edition.     One  volume.     18mo.     50c. 

"  Its  distinguishing  excellency  is,  that  far  the  greater  part  of  the  Prayers  appear  to  h»ri 
Mea  praijed  and  not  icrilten,  Tliere  is  a  spirit  of  humiliation  in  them,  which  is  adlllir» 
biy  suited  to  express  the  sentiments  and  feelings  of  a  contrite  heart.  There  is  alsc  a 
fervor  of  (fevotion  in  thetn,  which  can  scarcely  fail  of  kindling  a  corresponding  flame  to 
tbe  breasts  of  those  who  use  them.  But  it  is  needless  to  pronounce  an  eulogy  ou  a  book 
tkp  value  of  which  has  beeu  already  tested  by  the  sale  of  many  myriadsJ' 


NELSON    ON    DEVOTION. 

THE  PRACTICE  OF  TRUE  DEVOTION, 

W  RELATION  TO  THE  END,  AS  WELL  AS  THE  MEANS  OF  RELIGION 
WITH  AN   OFFICE   FOR    THE   HOLY  COMMUNION: 

BY  ROBERT  NELSON,  ESQ. 
0/ie  volume.     IS  mo.     50c. 


HOBART^S    CHRISTIANAS    MANUAL. 

THE  CHRISTIAN'S   MANUAL 
OF   FAITH   AND    DEVOTION, 

Co»*«ning  Dialogues  and  Prayers  suited  to  the  Various  Exerercises  of  ths 
Christiaii   Life,  and  an  Exhortation  to    Ejat  ulatory  Prayer,  with 
Forms  of  Ejaculatory  and  Other  Prayers. 

BY  JOHN  HENRY  HOB  ART,  D.  B., 

BISHOP  OF  THE  DIOCESE  OF  NEW-YORK. 

One  thick   l8mo  .  v  olwine  .     63c. 

••  Its  object  is  to  exhibit  and  enforce  the  various  exercises,  duties,  anil 
privileges  of  the  Christian  life,  to  awaken  the  careless;  to  excite  the  lak^ 
Wsnn ;  and  to  instruct  and  comfort  the  penitent  believer.'* 


THE   COMMUNICANT^S    MANUAL. 

CONTAINING  THP;  ORDKR   FOR  THE    ADMINISTRATION   OF 

THE  HOLY  COMMUNION. 

BY  THE  LATE  BISHOP  HOBART,  OF  NEW-YORK. 

TO  WHICH   ARK  ADDf:D 

PRAYERS  AND  Mf<:DrTATIONS, 
BY  BISHOPS  TAYLOR,   BEVERIOGE,  AND  OTHERS. 

A  beautiful  miniature  edition.     31c. 


PASSION   WEEK: 

THREE  SERMONS  OF  LANCELOT  ANDREWES, 

BISHOP  OF  WINCHESTER, 

ON    THE    PASSION   OF   OUR   LORD. 

TO  WHICH  ARE  ADDED 

EXTRACTS    FROM    HIS    DEVOTIONS. 

One  volume.      }S?no.     38c. 

'*The  author  was  a  man  of  prayer,  'fiill  of  faith  and  or  the  Holy  Ghost;'  his  thcughtt 
fcwe  often  of  the  thinors  of  God,  and  hid  life  was  of  as  hig'u  an  order  as  his  thoughts.  i| 
Ita  Btyie  i»  somewhat  old,  yet  it  is  full  of  life  and  point,  and  the  matter  rich  {  luid  lo  iniia 
vte  feels  Aright,  his  tbcioo  is  ever  nev,  aud  though  common  always  stirrinj-" 


JJeiwtiona^  Works  published  hy  Stanford  if  Swordi 

WILBERFORCE^S     PRAYERS. 

FAMILY  PRAYERS, 

Br  THE  LATE 

WILLIAM   WILBERFORCE,  ESQ. 

EDITED  BY   HIS  SON, 

ROBERT  ISAAC  WILBERFORCE,  M.  A 

TO  WHICH  ARE  ADDED, 

PRAYERS  BY  THE  REV.  JOHN  SWETE,  D.  D. 
One  volume  18?no,  cloth.     25c. 

"  *n»*t  the  habit  of  family  deva^n  is  not  inconsistent  wi»h  the  most  zealouf<  and  oars 
nitted  a'scharge  of  public  duty  is  evincvi:"  by  the  example  whicn  the  author  of  these  Pmy 
era  afforir-d.  His  singular  union,  indeed,  oi"  private  religion  and  public  usefulnese,  tuaf  ia 
great  mea.grs  be  attributed  to  that  state  of  miuJ  of  which  tiiis  custom  was  at  once  a  cauM 
and  a  consv^juence.  The  Grecian  colonists,  wnose  more  polished  manners,  and  the  sim- 
plicity of  wteose  native  speech,  were  endanjrercd  through  the  contaminations  of  barbarian 
intercourse,  <^y  assembling  at  stated  seasons,  to  confess  their  degeneracy,  and  revive  the 
Ihought  of  p,^«rer  times,  retained  as  well  the  language  which  was  their  common  bond,  as  th© 
superiority  which  was  the  birth-right  of  their  race.  Amit'st  the  iuci  easing  turmoil  of  our 
days,  the  custom  of  daily  worship  may  be  looked  to  by  Christians  for  a  similar  result.  It 
has  been  shown,  indeed,  that  this  practice  comes  commended  by  the  experience  of  former 
times.  But  if  it  were  needed  in  a  period  of  quiet  and  repose,  how  much  more  amidst  the 
agitation  by  which  our  cities  are  now  convulsed,  and  which  shakes  even  the  villages  o/ 
our  laud  !  In  tranquil  days,  the  disciples  were  comforted  by  the  presence  of  Christ ;  but 
it  was  amidst  the  waves  of  Gennesaret  that  they  learned  to  appreciate  that  power  which 
could  hush  the  stormy  element*  into  rest.  It  was  when  neither  sun  nor  stars  for  many 
days  appeared,  and  no  small  tempest  lay  upon  him,  that  the  captive  apostle  co  ild  be 
Of  good  cheer,  because  there  was  with  him  the  angel  of  that  God,  whose  he  was  aiid  whott 
he  served." 


THORNTONS^S    PRAYERS. 

FAMILY  PRAYERS, 

AND 

PRAYERS  ON  THE  TEN  COMMANDMENTS. 

TO  TTHTCH  IS  ADDED, 

A  FAJHILY  COMMENTARY    UPCN  THE  SERMON  ON  THE  MOUNT 

BY  THE    LATE 

HENRY  THORNTON,  ESQ.,  M.  P. 

EDITED  BY   THE 

RIGHT  REV.  MANTON  EASTBURN,  D.  D., 
Bishop  of  Massachusetts. 

One  handsome  volume.     12m  o  .      75c. 

"  The  present  volume  contains  tivo  works,  which  have  been  separately  published  in  Rnf. 
and ;  the  Family  Commentary  on  the  Sermon  on  the  Mount  having  appeared  th«f «,  about 
a  year  after  the  first  edition  of  the  Family  Prayers.     The  arrangement  now  adopted  wil 
it  is  thou^'ht,  be  fou^i  tDTTirri^nt  for  domestic  worship;  as  combining  within  the  sanib 
volume  a  Maunjl.  ;/ prayer,  and  portions  of  scriptural  exposition  for  reading. 

•'  It  may  se  .m  presumptuous  in  the  Editor  to  say  any  thing  by  way  of  introduction  te 
productions  bearing  on  their  title-page  the  name  of  Thornton  : — a  name,  familiar  not  to 
Euglaud  only,  but  to  the  world  ;  and  indissolubly  associated  with  our  thoughts  of  whatever 
is  enlarged  in  Christian  beneficence,  sound  in  religious  views,  and  beautiful  in  consistency 
of  daily  practice.  He  will  take  the  liberty,  however,  of  simply  saying,  that  in  regard  tc 
the  Family  Prayers,  that,  without  at  all  df.tracting  from  the  merit  of  other  works  of  tSe 
same  description,  they  appear  to  him  to  preserve,  in  a  remarkaV.ie  degree,  the  difficult  and 
happy  nKuiiiini  hctveon  verboscness  on  fhe  one  iiand,  and  a  co!<l  conciseiios  on  the  other. 
Il  is  believed  that  none  can  use  them,  withoul  foeliUfr  that  they  impart  a  !-pirit  of  grati- 
tude  and  self-hiKuiliatiou.  Tliey  ure  wliat  prayers  should  be,— I'erveiit.  and  vet  ])erfectiy 
•imple. 

"  The  Commentary  upon  the  Sermon  on  the  Mount,  is  remarkable  throughout  for 
the  profound  insight  into  human  nature  which  it  manifests  :  for  its  clear  exhibition  of  t)l8 
fiMMHimoutal  truths  i/f  the  gospel:  and  for  the  faitlifiilness,  honesty,  and  at  the  saiite  tiiae, 
Ibe  true  refiaoinent  and  dignity,  ©f  the  la^^uage  in  which  its  instructions  ar«  conrere^i" 


Valuable  Works y  published  by  Stanford  <^  Swords* 
ENGLISH     CHURCHWOMEN 

OF     THE 

SEVENTEENTH   CENTURY. 

One  Volume,     ISmo.     50c. 

•'  This  is  a  small  and  very  neat  edition  of  a  most  delightful  and  useful  book.  It  contains 
the  biography  of  such  excellent  characters  as  Viscountess  Falkland,  the  Countess  of  Car 
berry,  Lady  Capel,  and  Mary  Evelyn.  We  cannot  think  of  a  better  volume  to  put  int» 
the  Parish  Library  and  the  Family  Circle.  Wherever  it  goes,  it  must  exert  a  most  b» 
nign  influence." — Calendar. 

•'A  charming  compendium  of  female  biography,  of  which  it  must  have  occurred  to  thd 
reader  there  is  a  lack  in  our  literature.  Of  course,  as  the  title  implies,  the  memorials  ai4 
confined  to  members  of  the  Established  Church  of  England,  but  that  makes  (hem  no  Io&. 
interesting  and  certainly  no  less  profitable  to  the  religious  reader,  since  the  principles  oi 
virtue  and  religion  are  subjects  for  delightful  contemplation,  and  profitable  withal,  what 
ever  their  incidental  relation  or  position.  We  are  glad  to  possess  and  commend  to  oth*>tj 
this  excellent  publication." — JY.  Y.  Commercial. 

"No  intelligent  Chr'^tiancan  read  these  biographical  notices,  without  meeting  with  traife, 
of  character  well  worthy  of  admiration  and  imitation." — Southern  Churchman. 


LATHROP^S  APOSTOLIC  SUCCESSION. 

CHRIST'S  WARNING  TO  THE  CHURCHES : 

WITH  AN  APPBNDIX  ON  THE 

APOSTOLIC    SUCCESSION. 

BY    THE 

REV.  JOSEPH  LATHROP,  D.  D. 

WITH    AN    INTRODUCTORY    NOTICE    BY    THE    REV.  J.  M.  WAIN  WRIGHT,  D.  D. 

Handsome  16mo.     50c. 

"A  Treatise  on  the  necessity  of  external  ordination,  and  of  a  succession  from  the  Apos- 
tlfs  to  constitute  valid  Orders,  from  a  Congregational  minister,  is  somewhat  of  an  anomaly 
Yet  this  is  such  a  one.  The  author  was  settled  in  We^t  Springfield,  Mass.,  and  delivered 
and  published  these  sermons  on  the  occasion  of  being  visited  and  annoyed  by  an  itinerant 
preacher  who  "  made  great  pretensions  to  piety,"  and  "  tau<rht  that  every  saint  has  a  ri?ht 
to  preach."  The  work  in  its  present  republished  form,  cannot  fail  to  be  useful  in  teachin" 
men  froin  whence  authority  to  preach  the  Gospel  is  to  be  derived. —  Calendar 

"  Here  we  have  a  defence  of  the  apostolic  succession,  written  by  an  eminent  Coiigre?a» 
tionalist,  the  Rev.  Joseph  Lathrop,  and  edited  by  a  high  Churchman,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Wain- 
wright.  It  is  a  good  book,  although  something  of  a  curiosity  in  its  way.  It  is  ^4tten  up 
IK  Stanford  and  Swords 's  usuil  neat  and  tasteful  style." — Recorder. 


Valuable  Works,  published  ty  Staiiff'trd  ^  Susrds, 
MEMOIRS  OF  MRS.   ELIZABETH   FRY, 

INCLUDING 

A  HISTORY  OF  HER  LABORS 

IN   PKOMOTING 

THE   REFORMATION  OF  FEMALE    PRISQN£RS, 

AND    THE 

IMPROVEMENT  OF  BRITISH  SEAMEN, 

BY    THE 

REV.  THOMAS  TIMPSON, 

Honorary  Secretary  to  the  British  and  Foreign  Sailort*  Society 
One  volume.     12mo.     l^c. 

"An  interesting  sketch  of  the  life,  labors,  and  death  of  one  who  was  numbered  with  tha 
■alt  of  the  earth.  In  works  of  love,  she  was  most  abundant.  Bhe  toiled  with  indcfiitis^a- 
b!e  zeal,  for  the  benefit  of  her  sex,  exploring  the  darkness  of  diing:eons,  and  <iiffii!iing 
through  them  the  light  and  influence  of  her  own  lovely  and  tender  spirit."'— jE^/isct/pal 
Recorder. 

"  Mrs.  Fry  was  one  of  those  unselfish  beings,  whose  sole  object  in  life  seems  to  be  to  do 
^ood,  to  the  full  extent  sf  the  means  and  opportunities  with  which  God  has  blessi^d  them. 
Her  arduous  labors  in  cfl^ecting  reform  in  prisons,  were  no  less  earnest  and  successful  than 
her  exertions  in  behalf  of  the  seamen  of  Great  Britan,  a  class  whose  moral  and  spiritual 
interests,  had  been,  until  her  day,  shamefully  neglected.  This  volume  exhibits  the  incep- 
tion, progress  and  results  of  her  benevolent  enterprises,  and  is  filled  with  mutter  of  rare 
interest  to  the  Christian  and  philanthropist.  It  deserves  a  wide  circulation." — Protestanl 
Churchman. 

"She  lived  a  lif^  of  active  benevolence,  however,  which  may  be  usefully  contemplated 
and  copied  by  those  of  a  sounder  faith.  I5y  hei'  numberless  journies  to  visit  the  abodrs  of 
the  poor,  the  sick,  and  the  imprisoned,  and  by  her  ceaseless  efforts  to  ameliorate  their  con- 
dition, she  earned  the  well-deserved  name  of '  the  female  toward.'  Her  Useful  career  is 
well  portrayed  in  this  volume." — Calendar^ 

"  The  extraordinary  character  of  Mrs.  Fry,  and  her  unparalleled  labors  exerted  to  pro- 
mote the  reformation  of  female  prisoners,  and  the  improvpment  of  British  seamen,  have 
earned  for  her  a  reputation  throughout  Great  Britan  and  Europe,  second  only  to  that  Of 
the  philanthropist  Howard.  Mr.  Timpson's  Memoir  is  a  brief  but  comprehensive  tribute 
to  lier  virtues  and  worth,  by  one  who  was  associated  with  her  in  some  department  oi'phi 
lanthropic  serv-ci." —  Gazette  if  Times. 

"  Some  time  ago  we  announced  th*^  intention  of  the  New-York  publishers  to  reprodiisa 
this  work  fiom  the  Knglish  edition.  Their  purpose  is  now  fulfilled,  and  no  doubt  the  phi- 
lanthropic reader  will  greatly  prize  this  memorial  of  a  lady  wh(!,  beyond  all  her  teiiialn 
contemporaries,  was  in  labors  of  benevolence  abundant.  The  Americap  edition,  with  the 
exception  that  it  has  no  portrait,  is  nearly  or  quite  equal  to  the  English  and  at  a  less  price. 
The  admirable  system  with  which  Mrs.  Fry  prosecuted  her  labors  is  bej  ond  all  praise 
and  if  the  work  wrouifht  no  other  purpose  than  furnishing  such  an  example  of  order  in  the 
prosecution  of  multifarious  duty,  it  would  amply  repay  the  purchase.  But  its  usefuliicsi 
18  by  no  means  confined  to  thai  single  fea^.ure." — N.  Y.  Commercial  Advertiser. 


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